and of France the Pope the Venetians Florentines and Suisses called the Holy League for the common libertie of Italy The Embassadours much amazed and seeing small hopes of the Dutchy of Burgorgne for which they came returne into Spaine and advertise the Emperour that if he will bee content with a pecuniarie ranson and free the two Princes the King was willing to pay it other Conditions he was like to have none In the meane time SOLYMAN not forgetting to make his profit of these horrible confusions invaded Hungary with a great Army overthrew the Hungarians slew King LEWIS the Emperours Brother in law and conquered the greatest part of the Kingdome For the obtaining of this victorie our Rashnesse was more availeable to him then his owne Forces The Hungarians in comparison of their Enemies were but a handfull but having formerly beene many times victorious over the Turkes they persuaded the young King that hee should not obscure the ancient glory of so warlike a Nation that not expecting the aides of Transylvania he should encounter the Enemy even in the open fields where the Turkes in regard of their multitudes of horse might be thought invincible The event shewed the goodnesse of this counsell The Army consisting of the chiefe strength and Nobilitie of the Countrey was overthrowne a great slaughter made and the King himselfe slaine with much of the Nobility and chiefe Prelates of the Realme and among them TOMORAEVS Archbishop of Colâ—cza the chiefe authour of this ill advised attempt I cannot omit an oddeiest at the same time occasioned by WOLSEY his arnbition It was but falsly rumoured that Pope CLEMENT was dead The Cardinall had long beene sicke of the Pope and the King lately of his Wife WOLSEY persuades the King there was no speedier way to compasseâ—his desires then if Hee could procure him to be chosen Pope CLEMENT being now dead STEPHEN GARDINER a stirring man one very learned and that had a working spirit did then at Rome solicit the Kings Divorce from Queene CATHARINE Wherein although vsing all possible meanes and that CLEMENT was no friend to the Emperour yet could hee not procure the Popes favour in the King's behalfe Nay whether he would not cut off all meanes of reconciliation with the Emperour if need were or whether being naturally slow hee did not vsually dispatch any matter of great moment speedily or peradventure whereto the event was agreeable that he perceived it would be for his profit to spin it out at length or which some alledge that he was of opinion that this marriage was lawfully contracted so that he could not giue sentence on either side without either offence to his Conscience or his Friend the Pope could not be drawne to determine either way in this businesse These delayes much vexed the King If matters proceed so slowly vnder CLEMENT on whom hee much presumed what could hee expect from another Pope one perhaps wholy at the Emperours devotion Hee therefore resolved to endevour the advancement of WOLSEY to the Chaire from whom hee promised to himselfe a successe answerable to his desires HENRY therefore sends away speedy Posts to GARDINER with ample instructions in the behalfe of WOLSEY willing him to worke the Cardinals some with promises others with guifts some with threats others with persuasions and to omit no meanes that might be any way availeable But this was to build Castles in the aire The messenger had scarce set forth when report that had made CLEMENT dead had againe revived him Anno Dom. 1527. Reg. 19. THe sixt of May Rome was taken and sacked by the Imperials vnder the conduct of the Duke of Bourbon who was himselfe slaine in the assault marching in the head of his troupes The Pope Cardinals Embassadours of Princes and other Nobles hardly escaping into the Castle of Saint Angelo were there for some dayes besieged At length despairing of succours and victuals failing the Pope for feare hee should fall into the hands of the Lansquenets for the most part seasoned with LVTHERS doctrine and therefore passionate enemies to the Sea of Rome agreeth with the Prince of Auranges after the death of the Duke of Bourbon chosen Generall by the Army yeilding himselfe and the Cardinals to him who kept them close Prisoners in the Castle Rome was now subiect to all kind of crueltie and insolencies vsuall to a conquered Citie intended for destruction Beside Slaughter Spoile Rapes Ruine the Pope and Cardinals were the sport and mockerie of the licentious multitude HENRY pretended much griefe at this newes but was inwardly glad that such an occasion was offred whereby he might oblige CLEMENT in all likelihood as he had iust cause offended with the Emperour for this so insolent and harsh proceeding Whereupon hee dispatcheth WOLSEY into France who should intimate to the King his perpetuall Ally what a scandale it was to all Christendome that the Head of it should bee oppressed with Captivitie a thing which did more especially concerne FRANCIS his affaires The Cardinall set forth from London about the beginning of Iuly accompanied with nine hundred Horse among which were many Nobles The Archbishop of Dublin the Bishop of London the Earle of Derby the Lords SANDS MONTEGLE and HARENDON besides many Knights and Gentlemen WOLSEY found the French King at Amiens where it is agreed that at the common charge of both Princes warre shall be maintained in Italy to set the Pope at libertie and to restore him to the possessions of the Church HENRY contributing for his part thirtie thousand pounds sterling a moneth Vpon the returne of the Cardinall FRANCIS sent into England MONTMORENCY Lord Steward and Mareschall of France for the confirmation of this League and to invest the King with the Order of Saint MICHAEL Hee arriued in England about the middle of October accompanied with â—OHN BELLAY Bishop of Bayeux afterward Cardinall the Lord of Brion and among others MARTIN BELLAY the Wriâ—er of the French Historie who in this manner describes the passages of this Embassage MONTMORENCY arriving at Dover was honourably received by many Bishops and Gentlemen sent by the King who brought him to London where he was met by twelue hundred horse who conducted him to his lodging in the Bishop of Londons Palace Two dayes after hee went by water to Greenwich fower miles beneath London where the King oft resideth There hee was very sumptuously entertained by the King and the Cardinall of Yorke Having had Audience the Cardinall having often accompanied him at London and Greenwich brought him to a house which he had built a little before ten miles aboue London seated vpon the bankes of Thames called Hampton Court. The Cardinall gave it afterward to the King it is this day one of the King 's chiefest houses The Embassador with all his Attendants was there feasted by him foure or fiue dayes together The Chambers had hangings of wonderfull value and euery place did glitter with innumerable vessels of gold and
Northumberland sentence passed on him like wise The Earle of Warwicke finding that the Iudges in so great a cause admitted not excuse of age with great resolution heard his condemnation pronounced craving only this favour that whereas the goods of those who are condemned for treason are totally confiscated yet her Maiesty would be pleased that out of them his debts might be discharged After this they were all againe returned to the Tower The next day Sir ANDREW DVDLEY Sir IOHN GATES who was thought in Northumberland's favour to have proiected the adoption of Lady IANE Sir HENRY GATES and Sir THOMAS PALMER were likewise condemned On the two and twentieth of the same moneth the Duke with the rest having two daies before received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper were conducted to the place of execution where Northumberland saith that excellent Historiographer THVANVS by the persuasion of NICHOLAS HEATH afterward Bishop of Yorke making his owne funerall Oration to the people acknowledged himselfe guilty and craving pardon for his vnseasonable ambition admonished the Assembly That they should embrace the Religion of their forefathers reiecting that of later date which had occasioned all the miseries of the forepassed thirty yeares and for prevention for the future if they desired to present their soules vnspotted to God and were truly affected to their Countrey they should expell those trumpets of sedition the Preachers of the Reformed Religion As for himselfe whatsoever he might pretend his conscience was fraught with the Religion of his Fathers and for testimony hereof he appealed to his great friend the Bishop of Winchester but being blinded with ambition hee had beene contented to make wracks of his conscience by temporizing for which hee professed himselfe sincerely repentant and acknowledged the desert of his death Having spoken thus much he craved the charitable devotions of the Assembly commending his soule to God prepared his body for the stroake of the axe This recantation did variously affect the mindes of the multitude who wondred that he should at last apostatize from that Religion which he had for sixteene yeares professed and in favour whereof chiefly he persuaded King EDWARD to endeavour the exclusion of his Sisters from their lawfull Succession Some write that being desirous of life hee did it craftily out of hope of impunity but that hope being frustrated to have repented it afterwards He was suspected neither were the presumptions small to have administred a poisonous potion to King EDWARD but in his Inditement there was no mention of it and that the rather for that the Iudges had authority only to inflict punishment on him for his conspiracy against the Queene At the same time and place were also executed Sir IOHN GATES and Sir THOMAS PALMER Many Bishops also who were thought to have beene too too opinionate in point of Religion were sent for to London and there imprisoned viz. HOOPER of Glocester FARRAR of Saint Davies who were both crowned with martyrdome and COVERDALE of Excester who at the request of CHRISTIERNE the third King of Denmarke was pardoned But the Clergy of what ranke soever who would not forsake their wives or were invested in Livings wherof any one had been for defence of Popery deprived or that would not by oath promise the defence of the Romish Religion were generally forced to relinquish their Benefices PETER MARTYR was then Professor at Oxford who presently vpon the death of King EDWARD was confined to his house But after some time his friends so far prevailed that he might come to London where he betooke himselfe to his Patrone the Archbishop of Canterbury But hee could not prove a Sanctuary to him The Archbishop himselfe began now to totter The Queene beside that shee was wholy swayed by GARDINER who extremely hated him had resolved to wreake her selfe on him for the Divorce of her Mother Manet altámente repostum Iudicium latum spretaeque iniuria Matris It is reported that King HENRY having determined to punish his Daughter the Lady MARY with imprisonment for her contumacy was by the sole intercession of CRANMER diverted from his resolutions And when she was by her Brother King EDWARD to be disinherited the Archbishop made a long suasory Oration to the contrary neither could he be induced to subscribe to the Decree vntill the Iudges of the Realme generally affirming that it might lawfully be done the dying King with much importunitie prevailed with him In ingratefull persons the conceit I will not say the feeling of one iniurie makes deeper impression then can the remembrance of a thousand reall benefits It was now bruited that with his fortune CRANMER had also changed his Religion insomuch that to gratifie the Queene hee had promised to celebrate the Exequies of the deceased King after the Romish manner To cleere himselfe of this imputation hee by writing declares himselfe ready to maintaine the Articles of Religion set forth by his meanes vnder King EDWARD his Raigne to be consonant to the Word of God and the Doctrine of the Apostles in which resolution he being confirmed by PETER MARTYR required him for his Second in this religious Duell But words are not regarded where violence is intended His death was absolutely determined but how it might be fairely contrived was not yet resolved First therefore they deale with him as a Traitor And having for some while continued prisoner in the Tower to alienate the minds of the people who held him in high esteeme he is on the thirteenth of November together with the Lords AMBROSE and GVILFORD DVDLEY and Lady IANE condemned for treason But the machinators of this mischiefe against CRANMER were so ashamed of their shadowlesse indevour that they themselves became intercessors for his pardon and yet afterwards most irreligiously procured him to be burned for pretended heresie Before hee was committed to custodie his friends persuaded him after the example of some other of his religious Brethren who had long since escaped into Germany by flight to withdraw himselfe from assured destruction to whom hee answered Were I accused of theft parricide or some other crime although I were innocent I might peradventure be induced to shift for my selfe But being questioned for my allegiance not to men but to God the truth of whose holy Word is to be asserted against the errours of Popery I have at this time with a constancie befitting a Christian Prelate resolved rather to leave my life then the Kingdome But we will now leave CRANMER in Prison whose farther troubles and martyrdome wee will in their due places relate Concerning PETER MARTYR it was long controverted at the Counsaile Table whether having so much preiudiced the Catholique Religion it were â—it hee should be proceeded against as an heretique But it was at length determined that because hee came into England vpon publique assurance hee should have libertie to depart with his Family So having letters of passe signed by the Queene hee was transported with his
of these letters returnes to Dilling not far from Trent certifies his Holinesse of the whole carriage of the businesse and sends expostulatory letters to the Emperor shewing therin what an indignity it was to the Apostolique Sea that his Holinesse Legat sent vpon a treaty of Peace and to reduce a Kingdome to the obedience of the Church should so disgracefully with contempt to his Holinesse and that by the Emperours command be detained in the middest of Germany in the sight of the enemies of the Church That great Divine DOMINGO SOTO Ordinary Preacher to the Emperour was then at Dilling By him hee persuades the Emperour not to hinder this Legation being it would so much hazard the estate of the Church but especially of the Kingdome of England At length with much ado and that not vntill the Emperour had intelligence that the Articles concerning his Sonnes marriage were agreed on hee obtained leave to come to Brussells but on this condition that he should there reside vntill the Emperour were assured that the marriage betweene PHILIP aad MARY were solemnised So to Brussells he came where having saluted the Emperor who received him very courteously and that time might not passe vnprofitably with him he begins to put in execution one part of his Legation which was to draw the Emperor and the King of France to some indifferent termes of peace The Emperor professing that he would not reiect peace vpon any reasonable conditions the Cardinall goes into France to treat with HENRY concerning the same thing who made as faire shewes as did the Emperour but their mindes exulcerated with inveterate hate made all his paines fruitlesse HENRY at his departure embracing him signified the sorrow he had conceived that he had not sooner occasion to be acquainted with his worth for had he truly knowne him his endeavours should have beene totally for his advancement to the Papacy A little after his returne to Brussells came the Lords Paget and Hastings Embassadors to the Emperour from their Maiesties of England who signified their joint longing to see the Cardinall and therefore desired he might be forthwith dismissed that by vertue of his authority he might rectify the Church of England wonderfully out of tune by reason of the Schisme wherwith it had beene afflicted So in September hee had leave to go for England but was by contrary windes detained at Calais vntill November in which moneth he at length arrived at Dover His entertainment was most honorable the Kings and Nobles alike striving to manifest their joy And because being in the yeare 1539. by Parliament declared Enemy to the Estate and by the same Law condemned to dy the Estates then assembled in Parliament repealed that Act and restored him to his Bloud the Kings themselves comming to the House extraordinarily for the confirmation of the Act before his arrivall at London A little after his comming both Houses were sent for to the Court where the Bishop of Winchester lord Chancellor having in the presence of the Kings and the assembly spoken something concerning the Cardinalls gratefull arrivall the Cardinall himselfe began a long oration in English wherin Hee acknowledged how much he was bound to the Kings and the Estates of the Realme by whose favor those Lawes for his exile and proscription were repealed and he once more made a Native of the land he was bound by the Lawes of gratitude to endeavour the requitall of this benefit wherto an occasion happily offered it selfe The late Schisme had separated them from the vnion of the Church and made them exiles from heaven By the authority conferred on him by the Pope Saint PETER'S Successor CHRIST'S Vicar he would bring them backe into the Fold of the Church the sole meanes of attaining their celestiall Heritage Wherefore he exhorted them ingenuously to acknowledge the errors of these later yeares and to detest them with sincere alacrity of minde to accept of and retaine this benefit which God by his Vicar's Legate did proffer them For now nothing else remained but that hee being present with those Keyes which should open the gates of the Church they should also abrogate those Lawes which lately enacted to the preiudice of the Church had rended them from the rest of it's Body Having spoken a great deale to this purpose and ransacked Antiquity for examples of our fore-fathers devotion to the Sea of Rome his grave delivery excellent language and methodicall contexture of his speech wrote so effectually in the mindes of those who were addicted to Popery that they thought not themselves vntill this day capable of Salvation But many of the lower House who deemed it a rare felicity to have shaken off the yoke of Rome eagerly withstood the re-admittance of it But by the endeavours of the King and Queene all things were at last composed to the Cardinalls liking The authority which the Popes heretofore vsurped in this Realme is restored the title of Supreme Head of the Church is abrogated a Petition drawne by the whole Court of Parliament for the Absolution of the People and Clergy of England from Schisme and Heresy is by the Bishop of Winchester presented to the Legate who they all kneeling by the authority committed vnto him absolved them This being done they went to the Chappell in Procession singing Te Deum and the next Sunday the Bishop of Winchester in his Sermon at Pauls-Crosse made a large relation of what had passed These things being thus setled the Queene intends an honorable Embassy to Rome wherof she had at her first comming to the Crowne made promise For having resolved to replant the Religion of Rome she had privily written to POOLE requiring his advice therin The Pope was therefore pleased to send into England GIOVANNI FRANCISCO COMMENDONO his Chamberlaine afterward Cardinall for the more perfect notice of the estate of the Realme To him the Queene after much privat conference did vnder her hand promise obedience to the Sea of Rome desiring withall that the Kingdome might be absolved from the Interdict for the obtaining wherof she would by a solemne Embassy petition his Holinesse as soone as the Estate was setled So now about the end of this yeare the Bishop of Ely Sir ANTHONY BROWNE and EDWARD CARNE Doctor of Law are by the Kings sent to proffer their obedience to the Sea of Rome But these costs and paines were fruitlesse For before they came to Rome the Pope was dead In the meane time the Queene considering all her actions hitherto to have passed with full applause began to treat with the Nobility to condiscend that if not the Royall at least the matrimoniall Crowne of our Queenes might be imposed on PHILIP But it being a matter without precedent and that might perchance to an ambitious Prince give some colour for claime to the Kingdome they proved averse and shee content to surcease The next care was of restitution of Church lands But HENRY had so divided them and that
birth of Queene Elizabeth Mary Queen of France dieth No Canons to be constituted without the Kings assent The King to collate Bishopricks The Archbishop of Canterbury hath Papall authority vnder the King Fisher and More imprisoned Persecution Pope Clement dâ—â—th First fruits granted to the King Wales vnited to England The King begins to subvâ—rt religious houses Certaine Priors Monks executed The Bishop Rochester beheaded Made Cardinall vnseasonably Sir Thomas Moore beheaded Religious Housâ—s visited The death of Queene Catharine Queene Anne the Viscont Rochford and others committed The Queene condemned with her Brother and Norris Her execution Lady Elizabeth disinherited The King marrieth Iane Seimour Death of the Duke of Somerset the Kings naturall Sonne Bourchier Earle of Bathe Cromwells Honor Dignity The beginning of Reformation The subuersion of religious houses of lesse note Commotion in Lincolneshire Insurrection in Yorkeshire Scarborough Castle besieged Rebellion in Irland Cardinall Poole Rebels executed Cardinall Poole writes against the King The birth of Prince Edward Seimour Earle of Hertford Fitz-William Earle of Southampton Powlet and Russell rise The abuse of Images restrained Beckets shrine demolish d. * Vniones The Image of our Lady of Walsingham Frier Forest makes good a Prophecy Saint Augustines as Canterbury Battaile Abbey and others suppressed The Bible translated The Marquis of Excester and others beheaded Lambert convented burned Margaret Countesse of Salisbury condemned The subversion of Religious Houses Some Abbots executed Glastonbury A catalogue of the Abbots who had voices among the Peeres New Bishoprickes erected The Law of the Six Articles Latimer and Schaxton resigne their Bishoprickes The arrivall of certaine Princes of Germany in England for the treatise of a Match betweene the King Lady Anne of Cleve The King marrieth the Lady of Cleve Cromwell created Earle of Essex and within three months after beheaded Lady Anne of Cleve repudiated The King marrieth Catharine Howard Protestants and Papists alike persecuted The Prior of Dancaster fox others hanged The Lord Hungerford hanged Beginnings of a Commotion in Yorke-shire Lord Leonard Grey beheaded The Lord Dacres hanged Queene Catharine beheaded Irland made a Kingdoms The Viscont Lisle deceased of a surfeit of ioy Sir Iohn Dudley made Viscont Lisle War with Scotland The Scots overthrowne The death of Iames the Fift King of Scotland Hopes of a match betweâ—ne ` Prince Edward and the Queene of Scots The Scottish captives set at liberty The Earle of Angus returneth into Scotland The league and match concluded The Scottish shipping detained War with Scotland War with France A League with the Emperour Landrecy besieged but in vaine The people licensed to eat White Meates in Lent The Kings sixt marriage Will am Parr Earle of Essex Another of the same name made Lord Parr The Lord Chancellour dieth An expedition into Scotland * Alias Bonlamberg The Earle of Hertford Protector King Henry's Funerals The Coronation The death of Francis King of France Musselburgh Feild Reformation in the Church The Scots French besiege Hadinton The Queene of Scots transported into France Humes Castle and Fasteastle gained by the Enemy Gardiner Bishop of Winchester committed to the Tower anddeprived Boner Bishop of London committed also Discord betweene the Duke of Somerset and his Brother the Lord Admirall The Lord Admirall beheaded An Insurrection in Norfolke and in Devonshire Some Forts lost in Boloignois * Corruptly Bonlamberg Enmity betweene the Protector the Earle of Warwick The Protector committed The death of Paul the Third Pope Cardinall Poole elected Pope The Duke of Somerset set at liberty Peace with the Scots and French The Sweating Sickenesse The death of the Duke of Suffolke A creation of Dukes and Earles The descent of the Earles of Pembroke Enmity betweene the Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland revived Certaine Bishops deprived Some of the Seruants of the Lady Mary committed An Arrian burned An Earthquake The Queene of Scots in England The Earle of Arundell the Lord Paget committed The Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellor The Duke of Somerset beheaded A Monster The King sickeneth His Will wherin he disinheriteth his Sisters He dieth His Prayer Cardanus Lib. de Genituris Sir Hugh Willoughby frozen to death Commerce with the Muscovite Lady Mary flies into Suffolke Lady Iane proclaimed Queene Northumberland forced to be Generall * L. quiâ—â—e provinci◠§ Divus ff de Rit Nupt. L. â— C. d. Jncest Nupt. Gloâ— ibid. â— â—um inâ—er c. ex tâ—nore Extr. qui sil sint legit Northumberland forsaken by his souldiers The Lords resolue for Queene Mary And to supprâ—sse Lady Iane. Northumberland proclaimes Mary Queene at Cambridge Northumberlaud and some other Lords taken Queene Mary comes to London Gardiner made Lord Chancellour Deprived Bishops restored King Edward's Funerall The Duke of Northumberland the Earle of Warwicke the Marquis of Northampton condemned The Duke of Northumberland beheaded Bishops imprisoned Peter Martyâ— The Archbishop Cranmer Lady Iane Lord Guilford Lord Ambrose Dudley condemned The Coronation A Disputation in the Convocation house Popery restored The Queene inclines to marry The Articles of the Queenes marriage with Philip of Spaine * Which as I conceive would have fallen in the yeare 1588. Sir Thomas Wyats rebellion Sir Iohn Cheeke is taken and diâ—th Bret with 500. Londoners revolts to Wyat. The Duke of Suffolke persuades the people to Armes in vaine The Queens oration to the Londoners Wiat is taken The Lady Iane beheaded The Duke of Suffolke beheaded Wiat executed and Lord Thomas Grey A Disputation at Oxford Cranmer Ridley and Latimer condemned Additions to the former Nuptiall Compacts Philip arriveth in England and is marrâ—ed to the Queene Cardinall Poole comes into EnglaÌ„d Cardinall Pooles Oration to the Farliament The Realme freed from Interdiction The Queene thought to be with childe Lords created Lady Elizabeth and Marquis of Excester set at liberty Iohn Rogers burned and Bishop Hooper Bishop Farrar many others and Bishop Ridley and Latimer The death of Pope Iulius the Third Paul the Fourth succeedeth Gardiner suâ—th to be Cardinall Gardiner dieth Charles the Emperour resignes his Crownâ—s The Archbishop of Yorke Lord Chancellour A Comet A counterfâ—it Edward Archbishop Cranmer burned This yeare eighty foure burned The exhumation of Bucer and Phagius Cardinall Poole consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury An Embassage to Muscovia The Lord Stourton hanged Thomas Stafford indevouring an insurrection is taken and beheaded War against France proclaimed P Ole's 〈◊〉 Legantine abrogated and restored The French overthrowne at S. Quâ—ntin S. Quintin taken A 〈◊〉 Rainbow Calais besiâ—ged by the French Calais yeilded The battaile of Graueling The French overthrowne Conquet taken and burned by the English The Daulphin married to the Queene of Scots The death of Cardinall Poole The Queene dieth
MAGDALEN Colledge and afterward became Master of the free Schoole thereto belonging Among other schollers the sonnes of the Marquis of Dorset were committed to his trust and for his care ouer them the Paâ—sonage of Limington in Somersetshire no verie meane one was bestowed on him As soone as he had set footing there he was very disgracefully entertained by Sir AMIAS POWLET who clap't him in the stockes a punishment not vsually inflicted vpon any but beggars and base people What the matter was that so exasperated him against WOLSEY a man not of least account I know not This I know that WOLSEY beeing afterward made Cardinall and Lord Chancellor of England so grieuously punished this iniurie that Sir AMIAS POWLET was faine to dance attendance at London some yeares and by all manner of obsequiousnesse to currie fauour with him There remaines to this day a sufficient testimonie her of in a building ouer the gate of the middle Temple in London built by the Knight at the time of his attendance there decked round about very sumptuously with the Cardinalls Armes hoping thereby somewhat to alay the wrath of the incensed Prelate But these things were long after this yere WOLSEY whether that hee could not brooke this disgrace or bearing a minde that look't beyond this poore Benefice left it and became domestique Chaplaine to Sir IOHN NAFANT Treasurer of Calais by whose meanes hee was taken notice of by FOX Bishop of Winchester a man that knew rightly how to iudge of good wits He finding this young man to be verie â—prightfull of learning sufficient and verie actiue in dispatch of affaires so highly commended him to king HENRY the Seuenth who relied much vpon FOXES faith and wisedome that hee thought it good forthwith to imploy him in affaires of great moment What need many words he so far pleased the King that in short time he became a great man and was first prefer'd to the Deanrie of Lincolne and then made the Kings Almoner But HENRY the Eighth a young Prince comming to the Crowne was wholly taken with his smooth tongue and pliable behauiour For when all the rest of his friends aduised Him to sit euerie day in person at the Counsell Table that so by experience and daily practise He might reape wisedome and to accustome Himselfe to the managing of affaires of Estate WOLSEY aduised Him to follow His pleasures saying That His youth would not be able to brooke their tedious Consultations euerie Age of man had its Seasons and Delights agreeable They did not do well that would force the King to act an Old Man before His time Youth being vtterly auerse from wrinckled Sâ—ueritie It would come to passe hereafter if God were so pleased that what was now troublesome to him would not be disagreeable to riper Yeares nay prooue perhaps a great pleasure Vntill that time came He should enioy the present and not by hearkening to others needlesse persuasions any way interrupt the course of that felicitie which the largenesse of His Dominions would easily affoord Him He should hawke and hunt and as much as Him list vse honest recreations If so bee Hee did at any time desire suddenly to become an Old Man by intermedling with Old Mens Cares He should not want those meaning himselfe that would in the euening in one or two wordes relate vnto Him the effect of a whole daies Consultation This speech hitting so pat with the Kings humour made WOLSEY so powerfull that whereas the King before fauored him as much as any other he onely was now in fauour with and next the King with whon e there was nothing to bee done but by him For he was the man that was made choice of who like another MERCVRY should passe betweene this our IOVE and the Senate of the lesser Gods offering their petitions to Him and to them returning his pleasure therein Wherefore he was euen at the first sworne of the Priuie Counsell and besides the late collation of Tournay vpon the death of SMITH he was also made Bishop of Lincolne In the gouernement of which Church he had not fully spent six moneths before he was translated from Lincolne to the Archbishopricke of Yorke then vacant by the death of Cardinall BAMBRIDGE at Rome Shortly after that I may at once shew all his honors WILLIAM WARHAM Archbishop of Caterâ—urie leauing the place he was by the King made Lord Chancellor of England and by the Pope Legate a latere Yet he stayed not there but as if the Archb shopricke of Yorke and the Chancellorship of England had not beene sufficient to maintaine the port of a Cardinall besides many other lâ—uings he procured of the King the Abbey of Saint Albanes and the Bishopricke of Bath and Wells And not content with these leauing Bath and Wells he addeth the Bishopricke of Durham to that of Yorke and then leauing Durhamâ—eazeth â—eazeth on Winchester at that time of greatest reuenue of any Bishopricke in England You now see WOLSEY in his height rich his Princes Fauourite and from the bottom raised to the top oâ— Fortunes wheele What became of him afterward you shall know hereafter Anno Dom. 1515. Reg. 7. THe League lately made with LEWIS the French King was confirmed by FRANCIS his Successor and published by Proclamation in London the ninth day of Aprill Anno Dom. 1516. Reg. 8. BVt the French King hauing taken into his protection the young King of Scots sent IOHN STVART Duke of Albanie in Scotland to be Gouernour both of the kings Person and kingdome The first thing this Duke vndertook was either to put to death or banish those whom he any way suspected to fauor the English Insomuch that the Queene Dowager who by this time was matried to ARCHIBALD DOVGLIS Earle of Aagus forced to saue herselfe by flight came into England to her Brother with whom she stayed at London a whole yeare the Earle her husband after a moneth or two without leaue returning into Scotland King HENRY being displeased at these French practises deales vnderhand with the Emperour MAXIMILIAN with whome the French then contended for the Dutchie of Milane and lends him a great summe of money whereby he might hire the Suisâ—es to aid him in the expelling the French out of Italie But the Emperour although he had leuied a sufficient Armie returned home without doing any thing He was indeed accompted a wise Prince but vnhappy in the managing of his affaires whether it were that Fortune waiwardly opposed him or that he was naturally slow in the execution of his wel plotted designes But shortly after hee intendes a second triall of his Fortune Wherefore by his Embassadour the Cardinall of Suisserland hee yet boroweâ— more mony of the King which was deliuered to certaine Merchants of Genua to bee by a set day payed to the Emperour in Italie But they whether corrupted by the French or not of sufficient abilitie to make returne deceiued him and so his second designes vanished also into
the night in the morning hearing the Kings forces to approach most of them slipt away onely some thrâ—e hundred remained whereof eleuen were women and being apprehended supplied their places whom theybefore had freed They were all arraigned onely thirteene designed for death whereof nine suffered on diuers gibbets purposely erected in diuers parts of the Citie LINCOLNE SHERWIN and two brethren named BETS Chiefetaines in this sedition were carried to Cheapside where LINCOLNE was deseruedly hanged The Executioner readie to turne off another was preuented by the Kings gracious Pardon The minde of man beeing prone to pittie wee may imagine that others were well pleased at the newes but certainely the condemned had cause to reioice The Queenes of England the two Dowagers of of France and Scotland both of them the Kings Sisters and then at Court became incessant Petitioners to his Maiestie and that on their knees in the behalfe of these condemned persons and at length WOLSEY consenting by whome the King was wholly swayed their Petitions were graunted to them and to the poore men their liues This was the last scene of this tragicall tumult the like whereof this well gouerned Citie had not knowne in manie ages For the Lawes verie well prouided in that case do vnder a great penaltie forbid Assemblies especially of armed men if not warranted by publicke Authoritie In August and September the sweating sicknesse termed beyond Sea Sudor Anglicus or the English sweat began a disease vtterly vnknowne to former ages Of the common sort they were numberlesse that perished by it Of the Nobilitie the Lords CLINTON and GREY of Wilton The symptomes and cure you may finde in Polydore Virgill in Anno. 1. HENR 7. who as confidently as I beleeue truely maintaines That this disease was neuer till then knowne to bee much lesse to bee mortall As if there were a concatenation of euills one euill seldome commeth alone A Pestilence succeeded this former mortalitie and so raged the whole Winter season in most parts of the Realme that the King for feare of infection attended by a few was faine euery day to remoue his Court from one place to another The eleuenth of Februarie was borne the Ladie MARY afterwards Queene of England Anno Dom. 1518. Reg. 10. THe Peace so long treated of betweene vs and the French was now in September at length concluded on these Conditions That the DAVLPHIN should marrie the Ladie MARIE the Kings only Châ—lde and not yet two yeares old That Tournay should bee restored to the French That the French should pay King HENRY foure hundred thousand Crownes viz. two hundred thousand for his charge in building the Cittadell for the Artillerie Powder and Munit on which hee should leaue there and other two hundred thousand crownes partly for the expence of that warre wherein the Citie was taken and partly in regard of other Pensions that were due vnto him For the paiment of which summes the French gaue eight hostages so saith BELLAY But our Writers speake of a farre different summe viz. Six hundred thousand crownes for the Citie and foure hundred thousand crownes for the Cittadell besides three and twenty thousand pounds Tournois which the City of Tournay ought the King and an annual Pension of a thousand Markes assigned to Cardinall WOLSEY for renouncing all claime and title to the Bishopricke of Tournay For the confirmation of these Articles the Earle of Worcester and the Bishop of Ely with some others were sent into France where both by the King and Princes of the Realme they were magnificently entertained Anno Dom. 1519. Reg. 11. THis yeare on the twelfth of Ianuarie in the three and sixtie yere of his age died the Emperor MAXIMILIAN hauing to preuent a disease to which hee thought himselfe inclining vnseasonably taken a Medicine of vncertaine opperation His death bred an equall desire in the mindes of two great Princes who became Competitours for the Empire FRANCIS King of France and CHARLES King of Spaine But CHARLES although King of Spaine yet being by birth borne at Gand and discent a German at the age of nineteene yeares was chosen Emperour of Germanie with the full consent and sufferages of all the Princes Electors This Election how euer other slight matters were pretended was vndoubtedly the cause of the ensuing dreadfull war betweene these Princes The French King taking this repulse impatiently meditates nothing but reuenge And that his designes might no way be crossed by vs he labors amain for the confirmation of the peace lately agreed vpon betweene HENRY and him Therefore by the Admirall BONIVET he deales with WOLSEY that at an enteruiew betweene the two Kings the League might be ratified To this end HENRY intends to come to Guisnes FRANCIS to Ardres and a conuenient place betweene both is made choice of for their enteruiew Anno Dom. 1520. Reg. 12. HEreupon the King setting forward towards France by easy iourneis comes to Canterbury intending there to keepe his Whitsontide The next day after being the twenty sixth of May the new created Emperor CHARLES the fifth in his return from Spaine arriues at Douer distant twelue miles from Canterbury The King gladly entertaines the newes and although it were midnight takes horse and within little more than an houre comes by torch light to Douer Castle where the Emperour lay who seaweary was then asleepe But being certified of the Kings arriuall hee suddenly apparelled himselfe and met the King at the top of the staires They embraced and saluted one another they long conferred together and the next morning beeing Whitsonday they rode together to Canterburie the Emperour alway keeping the right hand and the Earle of Derby bearing the Sword before them both Canterburie is a Citie more famous for antiquitie than for moderne beauty To let passe that it was aboue a thousand yeares since made an Archiepiscopall Sea our Chronicles do sufficiently testify that both in respect of priuate mens faire houses and the magnificent structure of it's Churches it antiently excelled the brauest cities of England But within these few yeares it hath lost so much of it's greatnesse and beautie that a man shall finde little of Canterburie beside the name Why it should so much in so short space decay many reasons may be alledged As the vicinity of London which swelling like the spleene suckes both bloud and moisture from all the other languishing Cities of the Kingdome Likewise the subuersion of Saint AVGVSTINES Monasterie the losse of Calais and the pulling downe of Archbishop BECKET his Shrine things which occasioned a great concourse of people and did by their losse and ouerthrow much impaire this Cities splendor One only Ornament therof suruiues which is the Cathedrall and Metropoliticall Church with such a Maiesty piercing the skies saith ERASMVS that it a far off fills the beholder with deuout amazement This Church being at first dedicated to our Sauiour CHRIST a few ages past degenerated into the nickname of S. THOMAS
ships and Merchants in England find the like entertainment the Hostages giuen by the French for the foresaid sums are committed to close prison and the French Embassadour confined to his house Levies are made throughout England great preparatioÌ„s for another expedition into France To which the King being wholly bent Embassadors suddenly arrive from the Emâ—erour whose request was That He would joine his forces with the Imperialls and that if it so pleased Him CHARLES would within few dayes be in England that so they might personally confer aduise what course they were best to run Many reasons mooued the Emperour by the way to touch at England His Grandfather FERDINAND being dead his presence was necessarily required in Spaine whither he must passe by England He feared lest this breach betwixt vs France might easily be made vp he being so far distant He had an Aetna in his brest which burned with extreame hatred toward the French and was confident that his presence would raise our sparkle to a flame They might personally treat conclude more safely securely than by Agents Posts of whom in matters of moment no wise man would make vse vnles forced by necessity But the chiefe cause as I coniecture of this his second coÌ„ming into England was that he was weary of WOLSEY with whom he saw it was impossible long to continue friend For the Cardinall by his importunity one while for the Papacy another while for the Archbishopricke of Toledo did much molest him who had determined to afford him nothing but good words He disdained not in his letters to a Butchers son to vse that honorable compellation of Couzen whether present or absent he afforded him all kind of honor whatsoeuer But when the Cardinall craued any ernest of his loue some excuse or other was found out to put him by yet so as still to entertaine him with hopes But WOLSEY was subtill and of a great spirit And these deuises were now growne so stale that they must needs be perceiued CHARLES therfore neglecting his wonted course by WOLSEY studies how to be assured of the King without him For this no fitter means could be thought of then this interview The King was naturally courteous loued the Emperour exceedingly and reposed great confidence in him CHARLES therefore hoped that by the familiarity of some few weekes hee might make the King his owne But HENRY he thought would not long continue so vnlesse he could some way lessen his fauor toward the Cardinall This he hoped might be effected by admonishing the King that he was now past the yeares of a childe and needed no Tutor that it was not fit he should suffer himselfe to be swaied by a Priest one in all reason better skilled in the mysteries of the Altar than of State against which in this respect besides the abuse of his power he must needs be some way though perhaps vnwillingly faulty The addition of some aspersions withalâ— were thought not to be amisse which if not true should at least carrie a shew of truth That the Emperour practised something in this kinde the consequences make it more than probable HENRY being a noble Prince and one that scorned money as much as any one breathing was very glad of the Emperors comming yet was his Treasury very bare and so great a Guest could not be entertained without as great expences CHARLES vpon notice of the Kings pleasure attended by the Marquis of Dorset the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield the Lord De La-ware others of the English Nobility comes from Graueling to Calais from whence he passed to Douer where he was receiued by the Cardinall who was accompanied with two Earles ten Bishops ten Abbots thirty six Knights 100 Gentlemen thirty Priests all these apparelled in velvet and at least seuen hundred seruants Two daies he staied at Douer before the King came At length he came and welcommed him with all Princely entertainment professing that no greater happinesse could betide him on earth then the inioying his Maiesties most desired company though but for so short a time From Douer taking Canâ—erbury in the way they came to Greenwich where the Queene awaited the longed for presence of her Nephew FroÌ„ thence to London where they werereceiued by the Citisens with the solemnities vsuall at the Coronation of our Kings At Whitsontide both Princes came to Pauls where they heard the Cardinall say Masse Sports agreeable to the entertainement of such a Guest were not wanting But when mention was made of renewing the League Windsore was thought fittest for the Treaty it being not aboue twenty miles from London and a place altogether as it were composed for pleasure Windsore is situated in a large Plaine vpon the bankes of the riuer Thames The Castle being the chiefest in England for strength comparable to that of Douer but far exceeding it in greatnesse and beauty is built on a hill This Castle containes besides the Kings Court a goodly Church by EDWARD the Third dedicated to the blessed Virgin and Saint George adioining to which is the Colledge where are the houses of the Deane Prebendaries and Vicars Chorall where also liue twelue Souldiers discharged of the wars called Knights and hauing pensions who in their habits are bound daily to frequent the Church there to pray vnto God for the Knights of the Illustrious Order of the Garter Of this Order the Castle is the Seat where according to the first Institution the Knights are to be installed on certaine dayes are to offer and to do some other duties Here vpon Corpus Christi day these Princes hauing on the robes of the Order in their stalls heard Masse and receiuing the Sacrament bound themselues by oath inuiolably to obserue the Conditions of this new League the chiefe Articles whereof were these That they should with joint and as great forces as they could inuade France That the Emperor should yearely pay to the King as much as was due to Him and his Sister from the French viz. 133000 crownes That the Emperor should at conuenient yeares take to Wife his Cousin german the Lady MARY the Kings onely Childe who after raigned and at age of fortie yeares was married to PHILIP the Emperors son That he by whose default it should happen that this match should not succeed should pay the other fiue hundred thousand crownes and for assurance of this the Emperour should put Saint Omers and Aires into the Kings hands One would haue thought it had passed the reach of human policy to haue dissolued this band But shortly after broken it was and could neuer after be firmely knit againe After eight dayes stay at Windsore these Princes went to Winchester and from thence to Southampton where was the Emperors Fleet consisting of a hundred and eighty ships Here on the first of Iuly the Emperor tooke ship and made for Spaine In the meane time the Earle of Surrey hauing gathered a Fleet landed neere Morleys
King vnderstanding that among his subiects but especially the women kinde this his action was much traduced as if Hee tooke this course more to satisfie his Lust then his Conscience to give a stop to all farther rumours having assembled all the Nobles of the Realme Iudges Lawiers and as many of the better sort of Commonsas could conveniently attend vpon the eight of November made an Oration to this effect Twentie yeares have almost run their course faithfull and loving Subiects since We first began Our Raigne among you Jn all which tract of time Wee haue by Gods â—ssistance so behaved Our Selfe that Wee hope Wee haue neither given you cause to complaine nor Our Enemies to glory No foraine power hath indevoured ought against you but to his owne losse neither have Wee employed Our Armes any where but We haue triumphantly erected Our glorious trophies So that whether you consider the sweet fruits of plentifull Peace or the glory of Our warlike exploits We dare boldly avouch Wee have shewed Our Selfe not vnworthy of Our Ancestors whom without offence bee it spoken Wee have in all points equalled But when wee reflect vpon the necessary end of Our fraile life We are surprised with feare least the miseries of future times should so obscure the splendour and memory of Our present felicitie that as the Romans did after the death of Augustus so you may hereafter bee forced to wish with teares either that VVe had never beene or might have perpetually lived to governe you VVee see many here present who in reguard of their age might have beene parties in the late Civill warres which for eightie yeares together so miserably rended this Realme no man knowing whom to acknowledge for his Soveraigne vntill the happie Coniunction of Our Parents did not resolve but tooke away all cause of farther doubt Consider then whether after Our death you can hope for better dayes then when the Factions of Yorke and Lancaster distracted this Realme VVee have a Daughter whom VVee the more affectionately tender because shee is Our sole Jssue But VVee would have you know that having lately treated with Our deare Brother of France concerning a match betweene this Our Daughter and Henrie Duke of Orleans his yonger sonne both of Vs were well pleased with this alliance vntill one of his Privy Counsell made a question of Our Daughters birth for it was much to bee doubted least she were to be held illegitimate being begotten of Vs and that Mother who had before beene married to Our deceased Brother saying it was vtterly repugnant to the Word of God that any one should marry his Brothers Widow wherefore he was of opinion that this match with Our most beloved Spouse was to be deemed no other then incestuous How grievously this relation afflicted Vs God the Searcher of Our hearts knowes For these words did seeme to question not onely Our deare Consort and Our Daughter but euen the very estate of Our soule which after death must necessarily vndergo eternall and inevitable torments if being admonished of so horrible an Incest We should not indevour an amendement And for your parts you cannot but foresee how great dangers by reason of this doubt do threaten you and your Posterity Being therefore desirous as the case indeed required to bee resolved in this point Wee first conferred with Our Friends and then with the most learned in the Lawes both Divine and Humane who indeed were so farre from satisfying Vs that they left Vs more perplexed Wee therefore had recourse to the Holy Apostolique Sea to the Decree whereof VVe thinke it fitting that Our Selfe and all others should bee obedient To this and no other end We call immortall God to witnesse have wee procured this Venerable Legate As for the Queene Our most beloved Consort whatsoever women may tattle or ill willers mutter in private We do willingly and ingenuously professe that in noblenesse of Mind she far transcends the greatnesse of her Birth so that if wee were now at liberty and free for a second choice We take God to witnesse among all the plenty of the worlds Beauties wee would not make choice of any other if lawfully wee might then of this Our now Queene one in regard of her mildnesse wisdome humility sanctity of minde and conversation We are verily perswaded not to be paralleled But when We consider that We are bestowed on the world to other ends then the pursuite of Our owne pleasures We have thought it meet rather to vndergo the hazard of an vncertaine iudgement then to commit impiety against God the liberall Giver of all blessings and ingratitude against Our Countrey the weale and safetie whereof each one should prefer before his private life or fortunes Thus much have you heard from Our owne mouth And we hope that you will hereafter give no heed either to seditious detractions or idle rumours of the people This Oration tooke according to the divers dispositions of the hearers some lamenting the King's but many more the Queenes case every one doubting and fearefull of the event Some few weary of the present estate desired a change even to worse rather then a continuance of the present And by these the course the King had taken not approved by the vulgar as pious and imposed on him by his owne and the publique necessitie was according to the nature of hopefull flattery most highly applauded Anno Dom. 1529. Reg. 21. AT length about the beginning of Aprill the King residing at Bridewell at the Blacke Friers in London began the suit concerning the King's Divorce There was that to be seene the like whereof the Histories of no other Nation afford A most puissant Monarch actually Soveraigne and bearing rule in his Realme being cited by the voice of of an Apparitor made his appearance personally before the Iudges The ceremonies in a matter so vnusuall and indeed otherwise of great moment require an accurate and large relation beyond the intended shortnesse of this Historie A Chaire of State whereto was an ascent of some steps was placed above for the King and by the side of it another but a little lower for the Queene Before the King at the fourth step sate the Legates but so as the one seemed to sit at his right hand the other at the left Next to the Legates stood the Apparitors and other Officers of the Court and among them GARDINER after Bishop of Winchester appointed Register in this businesse Before the Iudges within the limits of the Court sate the Archbishop of Canterbury with all the other Bishops of the Realme At the farther end of each side were the Advocates and Proctors retained for each partie for the King SAMPSON after Bishop of Chichester BELL after Bishop of Worcester TREGONEL and PETERS Father to the now Lord PETERS all Doctours of Law For the Queene FISHER Bishop of Rochester and STANDISH Bishop of Saint Assaph with RIDLEY Doctor whether of Divinitie or Law I know not but one who
had the esteeme of a very learned man All things being thus formally ordered the Apparitor willed by the Register to cite the King cried HENRY King of England come into the Court who answered Here I am The Queene being likewise cited CATHARINE Queene of England come into the Court made no answere but rising from her seate went directly to the King to whom on her knees purposely raising her voice that every one might heare her shee is reported to have spoken to this effect Sir J humbly beseech your Maiestie so to deale with me at this present that I may neither have cause to complaine of Iniustice nor that you have debarred me the favour of your wonted Clemency J am here a Woman and a Stranger destitute of Friends and Counsaile so that plead for my selfe J cannot and whom J may else employ J know not My kindred and Friends are farre off neither can J safely rely on any here in a matter of so great consequence They that are here retained for mee are no other then whom you have beene pleased to appoint and are your owne Subiects who if they would deale vprightly which few will beleeve they dare do yet can they not here withstand your determinate will and pleasure But what have wretched J committed that after twenty yeares spent in peaceable wedlocke and having borne you so many Children you should now at length thinke of putting me away I was J confesse the Widow of your Brother if at least she may be accompted a Widow whom her husband never knew For I take Almighty God to witnesse and J am perswaded you cannot be ignorant of it that I came to your bed an vnspotted Virgin from which time how J haue behaved my selfe I am content to appeale even to them whosoever they are that do wish mee least good Certainly whatsoever their Verdict may be you have alwayes found me a most faithfull servant I may better say then wife having never to my knowledge withstood your pleasure so much as in shew J alwayes loved those whom J thought you favoured without questioning their deserts J so carefully farthered and procured your pleasures that I rather feare I have offended God in too much indeavouring your content then that I have any way failed in the least performance of my duty By this my observance vnto you if so be you ever thought it worthy of reguard by our common Issue by the memory of my Father whom you sometimes held deare I do humbly beg that you would be pleased to defer the farther hearing of this cause vntill having sent into Spaine I may thence be advised by my Friends in this case what course to take If then in Iustice it shall be thought meet to rend me from you a part of whom I have so long beene the apprehension whereof doth more terrifie me then death I will even in this continue my long observed course of obedience But as often as I bethinke me of the wisdome of Our Parents by whose indevours and consent this Match was ratified J cannot but hope very well of my cause Your Father was for his admirable wisdome accompted a second Salomon neither can Spaine throughout the whole Successions of the Kings of so many Kingdomes produce any one who may parallell my Father Ferdinand and what kinde of Counsailours must we thinke these Princes had that all should as it were conspire to hurle Vs into the miseries of an incectuous Marriage No question was then made concerning the lawfulnesse of this Match and yet those times afforded learned men yea and whereof to my harme I have had experimentall knowledge in holinesse of life and love of the Truth far surpassing the Flatterers of these times VVhich last wordes shee therefore spake because shee had heard that all the Bishops of the Realme had by a common Decree pronounced against the Marriage And indeed such a Decree subscribed and sealed by each of them was afterward in the presence of the King read publiquely in the Court Fisher Bishop of Rochester excepting against it who denied that hee had assented to it and obiected forgery to the Archbishop of Canterbury for putting to it in steed of Bishop Fishers a false Seale and a counterfeit hand The Queene having spoken thus much arising after her due obeisance to the King when every one expected shee would have returned to her seate made hast out of the Court Every one amazedly wonders what the Queene intends But before shee had gone far the King commanded the Apparitor to call her backe againe The Apparitor obeying the Gentleman who supported her told her she was called to whom shee replied I heare it very well but go you on I cannot hope for iustice in this Court let them proceed against me in what manner they will I am resolved not to stay So away shee went and would never after be persuaded to make her appearance either personally or by a Protector After she was gone the King commended her in those termes that might befit a great affection and her excellent vertues withall protesting how desirous he was to continue in that estate so that neither his soule nor the Common-wealth might be endangered by it Here WOLSEY interrupted him beseeching his Maiestie that forasmuch as it was bruited that hee had persuaded Him to this Divorce His Maiesty would vouchsafe to signifie to the present Assembly how farre this report was true The King although that hee knew that in this fame lied not yet to secure his Favourite from the generall hate of the people affirmed the Bishop of Bayeux having first made scruple of it to have first advised him to this course and that the Bishop of Lincolne his Confessor and other Bishops with whom he had conferred did the like These were the Acts of the first day This case was for a moneth or two held in controuersie the Kings Advocates alledging that It was not in the Popes power to ratifie this Marriage which as prohibited by the Law of Nature the Scripture had pronounced vnlawfull That Catharine had beene lawfully married to Prince Arthur the King 's elder Brother and that the Nuptials were publiquely solemnized no man could deny and many circumstances did manifest the consummation of the Marriage by a carnall coniunction On the otherside the Queenes Advocates maintained The Law which forbad the Iewes to marrie their Brothers wife to bee Iudiciall and not Morall and therefore abrogated by Christ but so far forth as the Church had retained it it was by the authority of the same Church dispensable especially being they were confident that the forealledged consummation could no way be proved Thus each side pleaded and time passed on The King observes Cardinall CAMPEGIVS to go more coldly to worke then he was wont from whom Hee before this expected the promised decision But fortune had since that turned her wheele The Emperours affaires prospered in Italy and CLEMENT knew it was not
declared void and incestuous and a Law enacted wherein all Appeales to Rome were forbidden and that none should stile CATHARINE other then Princesse of Wales and Widow or Dowager of Prince ARTHVR By vertue and authority of the same Law the Archbishop of Canterbury accompanied with some other Bishops comming to Dunstable six miles from Ampthill where CATHARINE then resided caused her to be cited before Him next vnder the King chiefe Iudge in all Ecclesiasticall causes within the Province of Canterbury to shew what reasons could be alleaged why the marriage not lawfully contracted betweene the King and her should not be disanulled and pronounced impious incestuous and consequently void To these things by one of her servants she answered that it beseemed not the Archbishop to thrust his sickle into anothers harvest this Cause did yet depend vndecided before the Pope CHRIST'S Vicar on earth whose Decree she would obey and other Iudge would shee acknowledge none Being called fifteene dayes together and not appearing Shee is pronounced Contumax and for her contumacie separated from the Kings bed and company Wherevpon the Lady ANNE proclaimed Queene throughout the Kingdome on Easter eve shewed her selfe publiquely as Queene and was at Whits ontide crowned with as great pompe and solemnitie as ever was Queene The particulars I will let passe excepting that propheticall Disticke vpon one of the triumphant Arches purposely erected in London where shee was to passe Regina ANNA paris Regis de sanguine Natam Et paries populis aurea secla tuis In English ANNE thou a daughter bearest to our King And to thy people golden dayes shalt bring Wafers also with the same impression were throwne about saith STOW But I rather beleeve that this Disticke was made after the Queenes deliverie Whensoever it were hee that truely considers the feâ—icitie of the foure and fortie yeares raigne of this Queenes Daughter will thinke this Oracle could not proceed from any but a Delphian APOLLO For the Queene at the time of her Coronation was great with childe whereof the seventh of September shee was delivered at Greenwich which was that ever famous Queene ELIZABETH who after the death of her Brother and Sister so gloriously ruled this Kingdome The Pope was certified of all these passages that his authoritie in England was abrogated that the late Queene CATHARINE was put away that ANNE BOLEN as Queene was taken to the Kings bed that the King stiled himselfe Supreme Head of the Church of England that the Archbishop of Canterbury executed all those offices which formerly the Pope only did and that not as the Popes Legate but as Primate of England who vnder the King claimed chiefe authority in Ecclesiasticall affaires throughout his whole Province Wherwith being neâ—ed hee seemed to breath nothing but threats and revenge But knowing himselfe to have beene the motive of it and doubtfull of the event he was easily persuaded by the French King as yet not to proceed by excommunication against HENRY vntill he had made triall of some milder course Wherevpon FRANCIS by BELLAY Bishop of Paris entreates HENRY not to withdraw himselfe wholy from the obedience of Rome for as much as it was a matter of great danger Hee would therefore advise him once more by Embassadours to Rome to signifie that he was not vtterly averse from a râ—conciliation which if hee did hee made no doubt but all things would succeed to his minde HENRY was certaine of enioying his Love and let the Pope decree what he list was resolved to keepe her Hee had beene formerly abused by the Court of Rome and was loath to make farther triall of their dilatory proceedings Yet had BELLAY prevailed so faâ—re with him that Hee would be content once more to submit himselfe to the Church of Rome if hee could bee assured of the Popes intention to do him equity The Bishop conceiving some hopes of a peace although it were in the winter time goes himselfe to Rome gives the Pope an account of his actions and certifies him that the matter was not yet desperate Wherevpon a day is appointed by which a Post returning from the King was to give notice of an intended Embassie But the Consistory gave so short a time to have an answere that the Post came short two dayes at his returne The terme expired they proceed hastily to the confirmation of their Censures notwithstanding the Bishops instance to obtaine six dayes more for as much as contrary windes or some other chance might hinder the messenger and six dayes would be no great matter considering the King had wauered six whole yeares before hee fell The more moderate thought the Bishop demanded but reason but the preposterous haste of the greater sort preuailed Two dayes were scarce past after the prefixed time but the Post arriuing with ample authority and instructions from England did greatly amaze those hasty Cardinalls who afterwards would faine but could not finde any meanes to mend what they had so rashly marred For the matter to please the Emperor was so hudled vp as that which could not ritely bee finished in three Consistories was done in one So the King and the whole Realme was interdicted the Bull whereof the Messengers not daring to come neerer was brought to Dunkirk The report hereof comming to the King hee laies all the blame on the Lady CATHARINE Whereupon the Duke of Suffolke was sent to lessen her Houshold They who might be any way suspected to haue been imploied by her in this businesse are turned away the rest are commanded to take their oathes to serve her as Princesse of Wales not as Queene of England They that refuse are caâ—hiered and they that are content to sweare are by her cast off so that for a time shee had few or no Attendants In the meane time on the three and twentieth of June died MARY Queene of France the Kings Sister and was buried in the Abbey of Saint Edmundsbury Anno Dom. 1534. Reg. 26. ABout this time was discouered the grand imposture of ELIZABETH BARTON which brought her to a deserued end Shee had formerly beene sicke of a strange disease which not only afflicted her inwardly but as often as her fit tooke her so wonderfully distorted her mouth and other parts of her body that most were of opinion it could not peoceed from any naturall cause But Custome growing to a second Nature the continuance of the Disease had taught her to distort her body after her recouery in the fame manner as when she was sicke Hoping to make a profit of this her counterfeit Convulsion she imparted the secret to the Curate of the Parish by whose deuice after â—ong deliberation betweene them it was agreed that she should often faine her selfe to be in an ecstasie and whereas shee was wont when the fit seased her to ly still without motion as if she had been dead shee should now sometimes vtter some godly sentences inveigh against the wickednesse of the times but
at Canterbury dedicated to AVGVSTINE the English Apostle who was there interred This being the first Fruits of Christianity among this Nation I meane the Saxons for the Britans had beene watred with streames derived even from the Fountaines Apostolique far more pure then were those later overflowes of AVGVSTINE hee invades expells the Monkes and divides their meanes betweene his Exchequer and Courtiers Battaile Abbey built by WILLIAM the Conquerour in the same place where by the overthrow of HARALD the last Saxon King hee purchased this Kingdome to himselfe and his posterity did also run the same fortune So that it is not so much to be wondered at if those at Merton in Surrey Stratford in Essex Lewis in Sussex the Charterhouse Blacke-Friers Gray-Friers and White-Friers in London felt the fury of the same Whirlewinde At the same time among many other Reformations in this Church that wholesome Iniunction was one whereby the Bible translated and printed in English was commanded to be kept in every parish Church and to bee conveniently placed where any that were so desirous might reade therein They who were more eagerly addicted to the superstition of their Ancestours brooked not these proceedings among whom were chiefe HENRY COVRTNEY Marquis of Excester HENRY Lord Mountague brother to Cardinall POOLE and Sir EDWARD NEVILL brother to the Lord ABERGAVENNY who on the fifth day of November vpon the accusation of Sir GEOFFREY POOLE Brother to the Lord MOVNTAGVE were committed to the Tower for having maintained intelligence with the Cardinall and conspired the Kings destruction for which they were on the third of the ensuing Ianuary the Lord AVDLEY sitting high Steward for the time arraigned and condemned and on the ninth of the same moneth beheaded Two Priests named CROFTS and COLINS with one HOLLAND a Mariner as partakers in the same guilt were hanged and quartered at Tiburne This COVRTNEY was by the Fathers side of a very noble discent deriving himselfe from the bloud Royall of France by HVGH COVRTNEY created Earle of Devonshire by EDWARD the Third But by his mother hee far more neerely participated of the Bloud Royall of England being Sonne to CATHARINE Daughter to EDWARD the Fourth who was Sister to Queene ELIZABETH the Mother of King HENRY The King lâ—ng favoured him as his Couzen germane but at length in regard of his neere Alliance to the Crowne became jealous of his Greatnesse whereof hee had lately given more then sufficient testimony in suddenly arming some thousands to oppose against the Yorke-Shire Rebells The consideration whereof made HENRY gladly entertaine any occasion to cut off this Noble Gentleman About the same time IOHN LAMBERT a religious and learned man was also condemned the King himselfe sitting Iudge This LAMBERT being accused of Heresy appealed from his Ordinary to the King who fearing least hee should be accounted a Lutheran resolved vpon this occasion to manifest to the World how hee stood affected in Religion To this end summoning as many of the Bishops and other Peeres of the Realme as could conveniently be present he caused Scaffolds to be built in Westminster Hall from whence the people might be spectators and witnesses of the Acts of that day On the right hand of the King were seated the Bishops and behinde them the Iudges and chief Lawyers of the Realme at his left hand sate the Temporall Lords and behinde them the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber LAMBERT being brought to the Bar DAY Bishop of Chichester by the Kings appointment made an Oration wherein he declared the cause of this meeting saying That LAMBERT hauing beene accused of Heresy before his Ordinary had made his Appeale vnto the King as if expecting from his Maiesty more favour for Heresy then from the Bishop So that he now found it be true whereof hee had been oft informed That the credulous People were verily persuaded that his Maiesty abhorring the Religion of his Ancestors had embraced the new Tenets lately broached in Germany True it was the tyranny of the Court of Rome had beene troublesome to his Predecessors but to Him intolerable and therefore had Hee shaken it off That Religion might no longer patronize Jdlenesse Hee had expelled Monkes who were no other then Drones in the Bee-hive Hee had taken away the idolatrous worship of Jmages had permitted to his Subiects the reading and knowledge of Gods Word hither to prohibited by the Church of Rome least their wiles and cousenages should be discovered and had made reformation in some other things peradventure of lesse moment which no man could deny would much redound to the good both of Church and Common-wealth But as for other things Hee had determined there should be no change in the Church during his Raigne Which his Resolution Hee now intended publiquely to manifest His Maiesties desire was That the Delinquent renouncing his Errours should suffer himselfe to be received into the bosome of the Church to which end partly and partly to shew that Hee thirsted not after any ones bloud out of his clemency Hee had procured the presence of those Graue and Learned men meaning the Bishops who by Authority and force of Arguments should if it were possible bring backe this straied Sheepe into the Fold of the Church But if hee perversly oppugned the Truth and all persuasions notwithstanding became immoveable Hee would by this mans exemplary punishment make knowne what others should in the like Case expect and instruct the Judges and Magistrates what they ought to do therein The Bishop having ended the King demanded of LAMBERT What hee thought of the presence of CHRISTS body in the Sacrament Whose answer being little to the Kings liking reasons and arguments were produced as if a Disputation in the Schooles and not a Iusticiary Session had beene appointed Five whole houâ—es this Disputation lasted the King being as it were Prior Opponent Archbishop CRANMER also and nine other Bishops forcibly pressing vpon poore LAMBERT But neither this course nor the battery of threats and terrors prevailing against his constancy the King commanded the Lord CROMWELL to passe sentence of condemnation vpon him by vertue whereof within a day or two after hee was burned Neither this dreadfull Sentence nor his torturing death did any way appale him which hee so little reguarded that going to his death hee merrily tooke his breakâ—ast with some Gentlemen into whose company he chanced as if hee had beene going to some sportfull game rather then his execution Anno Dom. 1539. Reg. 31. ON the third of March Sir NICHOLAS CAREW Knight of the Garter and Master of the Horse was beheaded for being of Counsaile with the Marquis of Excester and the Lord MOVNTAGVE And on the eight and twentieth of April a Parliament began wherein MARGARET Countesse of Salisbury Mother to Cardinall POOLE and Daughter to GEORGE Duke of Clarence who was brother to EDWARD the Fourth was attainted of high Treason and condemned without hearing and with her the Cardinall
of multitudes silenced those who had been hitherto furtherers of Reformation Among whom HVGH LATIMER and NICHOLAS SCHAXTON Bishops the one of Worcester the other of Salisbury were remarkable who that they might quietly enioy themselves the Parliament being scarce dissolved did both on one day viz. the first of July resigne their Bishoprickes LATIMER who for the freedome of his conscience could as willingly resigne his life as hee did this rich Bishopricke being burned for it in Queene MARIES raigne after his Resignation taking off his Rochet being a merry conceited man with a little leape lifted himselfe from the ground saying That hee felt himselfe much more light and quicke now hee had freed himselfe of so great a burthen HENRY in reguard of his wiving disposition had long continued a Widdower And that he should at length marry the consideration of his Estate being surrounded with Enemies passionate in the Popes cause persuaded him Wherein he also gave eare to CROMWELL who advised him to combine with those Estates whom the burthen of the Popes tyranny had forced to the same courses and like feares By whose assistance he might countermine the secret practises of Rome A counsaile without doubt good and befitting the times but producing the effects of Ill ones proving as is thought Pernicious to the Giuer For the treatise of such a Match in September came into England FREDERICKE Duke and Elector of Saxony FREDERICKE Duke of Bavaria OTHO HENRY Count Palatine of Rhine and the Chancellour of the Duke of Cleve with some others who were for eight dayes royally entertained by the King at Windsore where the marriage with ANNE Sister to the Duke of Cleve being concluded they returned to their owne Countries This yeare died MARGARET Queene of Scotland Sister to King HENRY who was buried at the Charterhouse in the towne of S. IOHN necre the Tombe of IAMES the First Anno Dom. 1540. Reg. 32. ON the Eve of the Circumcision the Lady ANNE of Cleve destinated to the Kings bed arrived at Dover was on the third of January triumphantly received at Greenwich and on the feast of the Epiphany ritely married to the King On the twelfth of March HENRY BOVRCHIER Earle of Essex the antientest Earle of the Realme throwne by an vnruly young horse which he sought to breake brake his necke by whose death the Inheritance was devolved to his daughter and from her deceasing without Issue to the Family of DEVREVX which Family in reguard of their claime by discent was by Queene ELIZABETH advanced to the Earledome of Essex But in the meane time CROMWELL yet chiefe in the Kings favour was on the eighteenth of Aprill created Earle of Essex And here behold the frailty of humane affaires The current of few yeares had from very meane beginnings brought CROMWELL to the height of honour insomuch that his happinesse was admired by all envied by many But Fortune intending a Tragedy he is vnexpectedly apprehended sitting at the Counsaile Table and committed to the Tower where he continued vntill his execution For in this Parliament begun the twelfth of Aprill hee is accused of Treason and Heresy without being brought to his answer condemned and on the twenty eighth of Iuly beheaded This King may well be censured of cruell inconstancy who could so easily dispence with the death of those whome he had admitted to intimate familiarity and made vse of their counsailes and indeavours as if he had advanced them to no other end but to depresse them WOLSEY had his turne CROMWELL succeeds whose sudden downefall there want not those who attribute to Gods Iustice inflicted on him for the Sacriledge whereof hee was reported to be the Author committed in the subversion of so many Religious Houses And indeed even they who confesse the rowsing of so many vnprofitable Epicures out of their dennes and the abolishing of Superstition wherewith the Divine Worship had by them beene polluted to have beene an act of singular Iustice and Piety do notwithstanding complaine of the losse of so many stately Churches dedicated to Gods service the goods whereof were no otherwise imploied then for the satisfaction of private mens covetousnesse and although many have abused the Vaile of Religion yet was that Monasticall life instituted according to the pious example of antient Fathers that they who found themselves vnfit for the execution of worldly affaires as many such there are might in such their voluntary retirements spend their dayes in Divine Writings or Meditations and are verily persuaded that for the taking away of these things God was offended both with the King and CROMWELL But SLEIDAN peradventure comes neerer the matter touching the immediate cause of his death About this time saith hee the King of England beheadeth THOMAS CROMWELL whome hee had from fortunes answerable to his low parentage raised to great Honours repudiates the Lady ANNE of Cleve and marrieth CATHARINE HOWARD Daughter to the Lord EDMOND HOWARD who was Brother to the Duke of Norfolke CROMWELL had beene procurer of the Match with ANNE But the King loving CATHARINE is thought to have beene persuaded by her to make away CROMWELL whome shee suspected to be a Remora to her advancement The actions of Kings are not to be sifted too neerely for which we are charitably to presume they haue reasons and those inscrutable But let vs see the procesle of this divorce Six moneths this coniugall band lasted firme without scruple the King and Queene giving daily testimonies of their mutuall love On the twentieth of June the Queene is willed to remove from London where the King staied by reason of the Parliament to Richmond a place pretended in reguard of the scituation and aire to be more for her health On the sixth of Iuly reasons are proposed by certaine Lords purposely sent to the lower House of Parliament demonstrating the invalidity of the Kings marriage with the Lady ANNE so that it was lawfull for them both to marry where they pleased The same reasons are alledged in the Convocation house and generally approved Whereupon the Queene also whether forced or willing consenting the Parliament pronounced the marriage void What the allegations were is vncertaine Some relate disability by reason of some defects to be obiected to her which seemes the more probable for that in her Letters wherein shee submitted her selfe to the iudgement and determination of the Parliament shee affirmed that the King never knew her carnally Whether for this or for that Nature having not over liberally endowed her wtih beauty but a private woman she became and as such not enduring to returne to her friends with dishonor shee lived vpon some lands assigned her by the King who alwaies vsed her respectively vntill the fifteenth of Iuly Annv 15â—7 at what time shee ended her discontented life and lieth buried at Westminster on the South side of the Quire in a Tombe not yet finished Scarce had the resolution of the Convocation House and the Decree concerning it
Preiudiciall to the Estate Grievous and Burthensome to the Subiect FINIS ANNALES OF ENGLAND EDVVARD THE SIXT The Second Booke LONDON Printed by Adam Islip and William Stansby 1630. Vae tibi Jerra cuius Rex Puer est ANNALES OF ENGLAND The second Booke EDWARD the Sixt. Anno Dom. 1547. Reg. 1. ROyalty like a Pythagorean Soule transmigrates Although HENRY were dead the King was still alive and survived in the person of young EDWARD who began his Raigne the eight and twentieth of Ianuary then in the tenth yeare of his age and having beene on the last of the same moneth proclaimed King came the same day from Enfield where the Court had then beene to the Tower there according to the ancient custome of our Kings to abide vntill his Inauguration at Westminster The next day the Counsaile assembled for the managing of the Estate conferred on the Kings Vnckle EDWARD SEIMOVR Earle of Hertford the honour and power of Protector of the King's Person and Kingdome Who to season his new Dignitie with some memorable act on the sixt of February dubbed the King Knight the King presently imparting the same Honour to RICHARD HOBLETHORNE Lord Maior of London On the fifteenth of February King HENRY his Funerals were solemnized and his Body Royally interred in the middle of the Quire in the Church at Windsore Two daies after were some of the Nobilitie dignified with greater Honours some new created The Lord Protector Earle of Hertford was made Duke of Somerset WILLIAM PARR Earle of Essex Marquis of Northampton IOHN DVDLEY Viscount Lisle Earle of Warmicke and the Lord Chancellour WRIOTHSLEY Earle of Southampton Sir THOMAS SEIMOVR brother to the Protector and Lord Admirall Sir THOMAS RICH Sir WILLIAM WILLOVGHBY and Sir EDMOND SHEFFEILD were inrolled among the Barons Other two daies being fled after their Predecessours the King passed triumphantly from the Tower through London to Westminster where he was solemnely crowned anointed and inaugurated by CRANMER Archbishop of Canterbury At what time also with incredible indulgence pardon of all crimes whatsoever was publiquely proclaimed and granted to all persons throughout the Realme six only being exempted from the benefit thereof namely the Duke of Norfolke Cardinall POOLE the lately beheaded Marquis of Excester his eldest Sonne one THROCMORTON FORTESCVE and RICHARD PATE late Bishop of Worcester who least hee should be constrained to acknowledge the King Head of the Church had some yeares passed fled to Rome On the nineteenth of Iune in the Cathedrall Church of Saint PAVL in London were celebrated the Exequies of FRANCIS King of France He deceased the two and twentieth of the precedent March having beene after the death of our HENRY much disposed to melancholy whether for that hee failed in the hope of strengthening their late contracted amity with some stricter tie or that being some few yeares the younger hee was by his death admonished of the like approaching fate They were also of so conspiring a similitude of disposition and nature that you shall hardly finde the like betweene any two Princes of what ever different times This bred a mutuall affection in them and as it were forcibly nourished the secret fire thereof betweene them vnlesse peradventure when emulation or the respect of publique vtilitie swaied them the contrary way so that the death of the one could not but much grieve the surviver He therefore in the Cathedrall at Paris celebrated the Funerals of HENRY though excommunicated by the Pope He also left one only Sonne named HENRY inheritor of his Crowne whose Raigne lasted but to the beginning of Queene ELIZABETH And now the affaires of Scotland which have without doubt beene great and memorable crave a part in our History Wee have before made mention of our League with Scotland wherein it was determined concerning the marriage betweene the now King EDWARD and the Queene of Scots The times since then were full of continuall iarres Wee at length resolved not to dally with them but to vndertake the war with forces agreeable to the cause The Duke of Somerset by consent of the Privie Counsaile is sent into Scotland with ten thousand Foot and six thousand Horse beside pioners and artificers thirteene hundred and fifteene peeces of brasse Ordnance To the Lord CLINTON is assigned a Navy consisting of foure and twenty men of war one Galley and thirty Ships of burthen wherewith hee was to scowre the Seas and infest the maritime parts of Scotland On the third of September the Duke of Somerset made an hostile entrance vpon the Enemies Countrey and forthwith dispatched letters to the Earle of Arren Regent of Scotland much to this effect That he wished the Scots would consider that this war was waged among Christians that our ends were no other then a iust Peace whereto the endevours of all good men should tend An occasion not only of a League but of a perpetuall Peace was now happily offred if they would suffer the two differing and emulous Nations by vniting the Head to grow together This as it had beene formerly sought by vs so had it beene generally assented to by the Estates of Scotland Therefore he could not but wonder why they should rather treacherously recurre to Armes the events of war being vsually even to the Victor sufficiently vnfortunate then maintaine in violate their troth plighted to the good of both Nations They could not in reason expect that their Queene should perpetually live a Virgin life And if shee married where could shee bestow her selfe better then on a puissant Monarch inhabiting the same Island and parlying the same language They saw what inconveniences were the consequents of foraine matches whereof they should rather make triall by the examples of others then at their owne perill He demanded nothing but equity yet he so much abhorred the effusion of Christian bloud that if hee found the Scots not vtterly averse from an accord hee would endevour that some of the Conventions should be remitted he would also permit that the Queene should abide and be brought vp among them vntill her age made her marriageable at what time she should by consent of the Estates her selfe make choice of a Husband In the meane time there should be a Cessation of Armes neither should the Queene be transported out of her Realme nor entertaine treatise of marriage with the French or any other forainer This if they would faithfully promise he would forthwith peaceably depart out of Scotland and whatsoever damages the Countrey had suffred by this invasion he would according to the esteeme of indifferent Arbitrators make ample satisfaction The Scottish Army consisted of thirty thousand Foot some speake a greater number The chiefe Commanders whereof puffed vp with confidence of their strength although they had lately lost eight hundred in a tumultuary skirmish and misconceiving our offers to proceed out of feare reiect all Conditions of Accord and least vpon knowledge of the equitie of our demands the Counsaile should
in any bands or preiudiciall compacts their demands being none other then this That if within the ten yeares either the King of England or the Queene of Scots should decease all things should on each side remaine entire and in their former estate Delay had often in the like cases proved advantageous wheras speedy repentance commonly followeth precipitated haste The Popish Faction especially the Clergy to whom the amity of England was little pleasing in reguard of the differences in Religion and some others oblieged to the French either in respect of received benefits or future profit with might and maine interposed to the contrary and chiefly the Regent bought with a pension of foure thousand crownes and the Command of one hundred Lances The French Faction prevailed for her transportation The Fleet from Leith where it harboured setting saile as if for France fetching a compasse round about Scotland put in at Dâ—nbritton where they embarqued the six yeare old Queene attended by IAMES her base Brother IOHN ARESKIN and WILLIAM LEVISTON who being put backe by contrary windes and much distressed by tempest arrived at length in Little Bretaigne and from thence set forward to the Court of France so escaping our Fleet which hovered about Calais to intercept them if as we were persuaded they needs must they crossed those neighbouring Straights Hadinton in the meane time being straightly beleaguered Sir ROBERT BOWES and Sir THOMAS PALMER are with seven hundred Lances and six hundred light Horse sent to relieve it BVCHANAN saieth there were but three hundred Horse the rest Foote Of what sort soever they were it is certaine that before they could reach Hadington they were circumvented and slaine almost to a man Yet did not the besieged let fall their courages but bravely defended themselves vntill FRANCIS Earle of Shrewsbury with an Army of twelve thousand English and foure thousand Lansquenets disassieged them and forced the French to retreat The Earle having supplied the Towne with necessaries and re-inforced the Garrison returned to Berwicke What they could not by force the Enemy hopes more easily to effect by a surprisall To this end D' Essé with some select Bands arrives at Hadinton about the breake of day where having killed the Centinells and taken an halfe moone before the Port some seeke to force the gates some invade our adioining Granaries The noise and shouts of the assailants gives an alarme to the Garrison who give fire to a Canon planted before the Port the bullet whereof penetrating the gate makes way through the close ranks of the Enemies and so affrights them that they seeke to save themselves by flight Fortune was not so favourable to the garrisons of Humes and Fastcastle where by the negligence of the Centinells the designes of the Enemy were crowned with succes At Humes being conducted by some that knew all the secret passages they clime vp a steepe rocke enter massacre the secure Garison and enioy the place At Fastcastle the Governor had commanded the neighbouring Husbandmen at a prefixed day to bring in their contribution of corne and other necessary provision The Enemy makes vse of this oportunity Souldiers habited like Peasants at the day come fraught with their burthens wherof easing their horses they carry them on their shoulders over the bridge which ioined two rockes together and so gaine entrance the watch-word being given they cast downe their burthens kill the Centinells open the gates to their fellowes and become masters of the place Neither were our navall enterprises fortunate being at Saint Minian and Merne repelled with losse In Autumne the Earle of Rutland with three thousand Lansquenets and some bands drawne out of the frontier Garrisons arrives at Hadington Who duly considering that this Towne could not be kept any longer without the excessive charges of iust Army forasmuch as the Countrey about being miserably foâ—raged it could not be victualled without great difficulty and danger rased the walls fired the houses brought away the Artillery and finding no resistance returned in safety to Berwick BVCHANAN refers it to the ensuing yeare but I follow the record of our owne Historians And having thus far spent the yeare abroad I at length returne home where I finde STEPHEN GARDINER Bishop of Winchester in the Tower He was a man very learned and no lesse subtle adhering to the Popish Faction yet so as that hee would be content to accommodate himselfe to the current of the times King HENRY had emploied him in many Embassages and that with ample authority vnder whom he durst not oppose the proceedings confirmed by enacted Lawes And vnder EDWARD hee repressed himselfe for a time seemingly consenting to the commenced Reformation But his dissimulation was at length manifestly discovered to the Privy Counsaile who had commanded him in a Sermon at Pauls-Crosse to signify his approbation of the present estate of the Church which he accordingly did on the nine and twentieth of Iune but so ambiguously and obscurely that he satisfied them not And being expressely forbidden to speake any thing concerning the Eucharist he knowing that by the Lawes nothing was definitively determined in that point did so eagerly assert that Papisticall I will not say Capernaiticall Corporall and Reall Presence of CHRIST in the Sacrament that he wonderfully offended the mindes of many but especially of the Lords of the Counsaile Wherfore he was on the thirtieth of Iune committed and obstinately refusing to acknowledge his errour was two yeares after deprived of his Bishopricke and as he was of a turbulent spirit least hee should practise any thing against the Estate detained neverthelesse in prison vntill the death of EDWARD In the meane time Archbishop CRANMER by writing oppugned that grosse and carnall assertion of the Church of Rome concerning CHRISTS Presence in the Sacrament whom GARDINER secretly answered vnder the fictious name of M. Constantius Neither did that Bloud-sucker BONER Bishop of London who in Queene MARYES raigne so heated the Kingdome with the funerall piles of so many Saints speed any better then Winchester For being likewise enioined to preach at the Crosse hee did it so coldly omitting many of those points wherof he was commanded to speake that hee was likewise committed deprived of his Bishopricke and so lived vntill Queene MARY set them both at liberty What the objections were against CVTBERT TONSTALL Bishop of Duresme and GEORGE DAY Bishop of Chichester I do not finde but that they ran the same fortune is manifest They were both very learned Prelates but especially TONSTALL a milde man and of most sweet conditions in reguard wherof I do not a little wonder that he was so hardly dealt with But the drift of the punishments of such men who in HENRY'S time were accounted the chiefe Lights of our Church I conceive to have beene that the rest of that Order might by their example be admonished without dissimulation either to resigne their Bishoprickes to others that were thought
among the Nobility that nothing could be done therein Only it was decreed that the First-Fruits and Tenths granted to the King by the Clergy Anno 1534 should be remitted which Decree vpon consideration of the Treasuries poverty and of the many Pensions granted by HENRY to the eiected Religious Persons was quickly revoked About the same time an absurd I might say ridiculous accident happened by the Queens owne credulity and the flattery of fawning Courtiers By reason of a disease which Physitians terme a Mole her belly began to swell and some other reasons giving her cause to coniecture that she was with childe shee not entertaining the advice of any Physitians but of Mid wives and old women beleeving what she desired should be affirmed that she felt the stirring of the Embryo in her wombe To those that are affected with this malady that fleshy and informe substance which is termed Mola doth seeme sometimes to move but that slowly and with the generall motion of the whole belly By this and other symptomes Physitians would quickly have discovered her disease which vnlesse very maturely prevented is commonly incurable so that in processe of time her Liver being over-cooled she fell into a Dropsy which as FVCHSIVS and other Physitians write doth vsually happen But these flattering hopes betraied her to the laughter of the world and to her grave For on the seven and twentieth of November the Lords of the Counsaile sent some Mandates to the Bishop of London to disperse certaine formes of Praiers wherein after thankes given to God for his Mercies to this Kingdome by giving hopes of an Heire to the Crowne and infusing life into the Embryo they should pray for the preservation of the Queene and the Infant and her happy delivery and cause Te Deum to be sung every where Then by Parliament many things were enacted concerning the education of the Babe and much clutter was otherwise kept about preparatious for the Childes swadling clouts cradle and other things requisite at the Delivery vntill in Iune in the ensuing yeare it was manifested that all was little better then a dreame This yeare were many Barons created On the eleventh of March WILLIAM HOWARD was created Lord Howard of Effingam he was Father to CHARLES Lord Admirall and late Earle of Notingham on the fift of Aprill IOHN WILLIAMS Lord Williams of Tame on the seventh of Aprill EDWARD NORTH Baron of Chartlege on the eighth of Aprill IOHN BRVGES Lord Chandois on the fourteenth of May GERARD FITZ-GERARD of whome before Earle of Kildare and on the second of September ANTHONY BROWNE Viscount Mountague And in September deceased THOMAS Duke of Norfolke Anno Dom. 1555. Reg. MARIAE 2. 3. PHILIPPI 1. 2. ON the eighteenth of Ianuary the Lord Chancellor comming to the Tower with six other Lords of the Counsaile set many brave prisoners at liberty viz. the Archbishop of Yorke Sir IOHN ROGERS Sir IAMES CROFT Sir NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON Sir NICHOLAS ARNOLD Sir GEORGE HARPER Sir WILLIAM SENTLOW Sir GAWIN CAREW Sir ANDREW DVDLEY the Duke of Northumberland's Brother WILLIAM GIBS CVTBERT VAVGHAN HARINGTON TREMAINE and others The Archbishop having married a Wife was deprived and NICHOLAS HEATH sometimes Bishop of Worcester but deprived by King EDWARD and HOOPER being eiected and condemned to the fire lately restored by Queene MARY was substituted in his place ROGERS and CROFT were afterward Privy Counsailers to Queene ELIZABETH vnder whome they many yeares flourished in great authority THROCKMORTON a subtle man was thought to have beene the plotter of WIAT'S Rebellion his head was therefore especially aimed at But being indited and ten whole howers spent in sifting him he by such witty answers voided the accusation of his Adversary that the Iurors found him not guilty for which they were afterward soundly fined About the beginning of Aprill the Marquis of of Excester and a little after the Lady ELIZABETH were set at liberty Concerning Lady ELIZABETH it was long consulted what course to take with her wherein the resolutions of the Papists were bloudily bent to make her away when any colourable occasion should present it selfe The Bishop of Winchester vpon any speech concerning the punishment of Heretiques is repoâ—ted to have said We strip off the leaves or lop off the branches but vnles we strike at the Root that hope of Heretiques meaning Lady ELIZABETH we do nothing But after long search into her actions no sufficient matter of accusation being found although there wanted not those who sought to persuade the Queene that her liberty would indanger the Queene yet PHILIP aspiring to the opinion of clemency by his intercession toward the end of Aprill she had her liberty but so that she was bound to admit of into her Family Sir THOMAS POPE a Privy Counsailer GAGE and some others who should alwaies keepe watch over her actions This small sparkle of clemency was obscured by a gâ—eater flame of cruelty a multitude of godly men suâ—fering this yeare for their conscience only On the fourth of February IOHN ROGERS the Protomartyr of those times was burned at London He was TINDALL'S companion after whose death fearing persecution hee would not returne into his Countrey but went with his Wife to Wirtenberg where having attained to the Germane Tongue hee vndertooke the Cure of a certaine Church there which he faithfully discharged vntill vnder King EDWARD he was recalled from exile by RIDLEY Bishop of London made a Prebend of Pauls and Lecturer there Queene MARY having attained the Crowne the Papists endeavored to affright him and so to have once more forced him to a voluntary exile commanding him not so much as to peepe into the streets and in this manner lived he a yeare vntill at last refusing to fly he was imprisoned and condemned to the fire which cruell death notwithstanding that he was to leave a wife and ten children he did most constantly vndergo The like end on the ninth of February made IOHN HOOPER Bishop first of Glocester and then of Worcester too holding both Seas in Commendam who tooke much paines about BONER'S deprivation which thing now hastened him to a stake For as soone as Queene MARY was inthroned he was sent for to London committed to the Tower and condemned for an Heretique HENRY reigning he spent part of his life in Germany where hee tooke to wife a Burguignon and among other devout learned men had intimate familiarity with HENRY BVLLINGER by whome for his learning godly and sweet conversation he was held in dâ—ere esteeme After his condemnation hee was sent to Glocester there to suffer where hee was thought most to have sinned in sowing seeds of error He himselfe not a little rejoicing that he should by the testimony of his bloud confirme that Doctrine before their eyes into whose eares hee had so often inculcated it The same course was taken with FERRAR Bishop of S. Davids who was brought downe froÌ„ London to his owne Dioces there
seeme a miracle and is a great argument both of rare vertue in the succeeding King and of a right iudgement in the subject For this great Lady was so farre beyond example that even the best Princes come short of her and they who most inveigh against that Sexe contend that Woman is incapable of those vertues in her most eminent Wisdome Clemency Learning variety of Languages and Magnanimity equall to that of Men to which I adde feruent Zeale of Piety and true Religion But in these things peraduenture some one or other may equall her What I shall beyond all this speake of her and let me speake it without offence to my most excellent Soueraigne IAMES the Paterne of Princes the Mirrour of our Age the Delight of Britaine no age hath hitherto paraleld nor if my Augury faile not none ever shall That a Woman and if that be not enough a Virgin destitute of the helpe of Parents Brothers Husband being surrounded with enemies the Pope thundring the Spaniard threatening the French scarce dissembling his secret hate as many of the neighboring Princes as were devoted to Rome clashing about her should containe this warlike Nation not only in obedience but in peace also and beyond all this Popery being profligated in the true Divine worship Hence it comes to passe that England which is among the rest of it selfe a Miracle hath not these many yeares heard the noise of war and that our Church which she found much distracted transcends all others of the Christian world For you shall at this day scarce finde any Church which either defiled with Popish superstitions or despoiled of those Revenues which should maintaine Professors of the Truth hath not laid open a way to all kinde of Errors grosse Ignorance in learning especially Divine and at length to Ethnique Barbarousnesse But to what end do I insist on these or the like they beeing sufficiently knowne even to the Barbarians themselves and Fame having trumpetted them throughout the world Which things when and how they were done how bountifully she aided and relieved her Allies how bravely she resisted brake vanquished her Enemies I have a desire in a continued History to declare and will God willing declare if I can attaine to the true intelligence of the passages of those times have leasure for the compiling it and that no other more able then my selfe which I wish may happen in the meane time ingage themselves therein LAVS DEO Errata PAg. 4. Lin. 20. read five dayes p. 6. l. 36. wearying p. 11. l. 36. dele of p. 26. l. 27. for crave read renew p. 27. l. 7. after her part read the good of the. p. 31. l. 9. into Scotland p. 32. l. 31. this debt p. 38. l. 13. Tournay lin 24. sixtieth p. 41. l. 13. oblations at Beckets tombe p. 51. l. 1. these p. 64. l. 6. mutemque l. 7. Falsus p. 72. l. 12. doth p. 95. l. 2. for Protector read Proctor pag. 97. lin 8. Ziâ— p. 133. l. 12. sticklers p. 139. l. 14 31. SMETON p. 142. l. 12. for just read vnjust p. 193. l. 33. MEVTAS p 198. l. 34. for passed r. posted p. 214 l. 20. Heads p. 223. l. 13. sictitious p. 227. l. 3. for of r. by p. 238. l. 21. for greatly r. gently p. 2â—6 l. 28. disceptation p. 2â—8 l. 14. dele and. ibid. read could hardly p. 318. l. 30. read out of contempt p. 319. l 1 for vnity read vnion p. 3â—0 l. 13. read vnion Henry 8. 1509. His priuie Counsaile The funerals of Henry the 7. S. Stephens Chappell The Coronation of Henry the 7. His marriage The death of Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond Empson and Dudley An expedition into Afrique Into Gueldres Barton a Pirat takâ—n Warre with France Afruitlesse Voyage into Spaine The Spaniard seâ—seth on Navarrâ— The Lord Admirall drowned Terouenne besieged The battaile of Spurres Terouenne yeilded Maximilian the Emperor serveth vnder King Henry The siegâ— of Tournay Tournay yeilded Wolsey Bishop of Tourney The King of Scots slaine Flodden field The descent and honours of the Howards Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke Charles Somerset Earle of Worcester Peace with Frauce The Ladie Mary the Kings sister married to Levis 12. K. of France Cardinall Wolsey A breach with France The Starre-chamber and The Court of Requests instituted by Wolsey Ill May day The sweating sickenesse Peace with France The death of the Emperor Maximilian The Emperour Charles the in Fifth England Canterburie Enterview betwixt the Kings of England and France Henry visits the Emperor at Graueling The Duke of Buckingham accused of treason King Henry writeth against Luther Luthers departure from the Church Rome The Kings of England by the Pope stiled Defenders of the Faith The death of Leo the Tenth Cardinall Wolsey and others sent embassadors to the Emperour and French King The Emperor Charles the second time in Enland Windsore The Conditions of the League concluded with the Emperor Rhodes taken by the Turke Christierne King of Denmarke The Duke of Bourbon reuolts The death of Adrian the Sixth Clement the Sâ—uenth succeedeth and Wolsey suffereth the repulse Wolsey persuades the King to a diuorce Richard Pacey Deane of Pauls falleth mad The battel of Pavy Money demanded and commanded by Proclamation The King fals in Loue with Anne Bolen A creation of Lords Wolsey to build two Colledges Demolisheth fou Monasteries Sacrileoge punished Luther writes to the King The Kings answer A breach with the Emperor The King endevours to râ—lieve the French King A League concluded with the French King The French King set at liberty The King of Hungary slaine by the Turkes Wolsey seâ—kes to bee Pope Sede nondum vacante Rome sacked Montmorency Embassadour from France War proclaimed against the Emperor The inconstancie of the Pope Cardinall Campegius sent into England The Kings Speech concerning his Divorce The suite of the Kings Divorce The Queens speech to the King before the Legates The Queene depart th Reasons for the Divorre Reasons against the Divorce The Popes inconstancy Wolsey fals The Legates repaire to the Queene Their conference with her Her answer Cardinall Campegius his Oration Wolsey discharged of the great Seale Siâ— Thomas Moore Lord Câ—ancell our Thâ— Câ—rdinall accused of treâ—son Wolseyes speech to the Iudges Christ Church in Oxford Wolsâ—y falls sickâ— Wolsâ—y is confined to Yorke The 〈◊〉 â—s apprehended His lâ—st words He dieth And is buried His greatnesse His buildings The peace of Cambray The first occasion of Cranmers rising Creation of Earles The Bible translated into English An Embassie to the Pope All commerce with the Sea of Rome forbiddâ—n The Clergy fined The King declared Supreme Head of the Church The death of William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer though much against his will succeedoth him Sir Thomas More resignes the place of Lord Chanceâ—lour An enterview betweene the Kings of England and France Catharina de Medices married to the Duke of Orleans The King marrieth Anne Bâ—len The
stir vp the wits of others partly that the desires of Forainers might in some sort be satisfied who not without cause complaine that these times then which for a thousand yeares wee have had none more memorable in reguard of their divers and remarkable changes are not described by any otherwise then slightly and as if they they had not intended any such thing As for Polydore Virgill he hath written either nothing or very little concerning them and that little so false and misbeseeming the ingenuitie of an Historian that he seemeth to have aimed at no other end then by bitter invectives against Henry the Eighth and Cardinall Wolsey to demerit the favour of Queene Mary already more then befitted incensed against both for the Divorce of her Mother J have therefore written friendly Reader and so written that although many things I will not deny conducing to an Historian may be wanting in me yet am I confident that this my endeuour will finde acceptance with many Other Writers may here have as it were a store-house from whence they may if I be not deceived furnish themselves with some matter which may helpe to raise an everlasting monument Forainers also ignorant of the English tongue may have a taste of these times vnvntill some one arise who can and will compile a History of our Nation worthy the maiestie of the British name J have in this worke beene so observant of Jmpartiality Simplicity and Truth that I feare nothing so much as a Domestique anger for not being pious enough because I would not be over-pious Many contend that a good Prince should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This I thinke no man will affirme of an Historian though some seeme to opine it So that he shall come short of his duty either to God or his Countrey who in the delivery of an History will not be at the least 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and who by affirming incertainties and knowne truthes shall not yeild much to his affections so they be ioined with the love of Religion and Countrey But how much do they inure Truth who from lies and falshood beg helpes to vnderprop her Avant We have no need of them And had we yet would it not much profit vs to rely on such weake advantages one pious lye detected proving more hurtfull then a thousand others although so artificially contrived that they avoid discovery can prove profitable For example whereof seeke no farther then the Papists whose fained miracles impostures and Legends patched vp of lyes have brought to passe that even in those things which are true they scarce gaine beliefe Wherfore I am well content that Truth which maugre her enemies will at length be every where victorious shall prevaile with me J have done to my power Politely eloquently politiquely I could not write Truly and fide Atticâ as they say I could If I have done amisse in ought it is not out of malice but errour which the gentle Reader will I hope pardon This â—ernestly intreate withall beseeching the All-good and All-mighty God that this my labour directed to no other end then to his glory and the good of his Church may attaine its due and by me desired successe Farewell Regem dedi iratus eis J. Cecill sculp ANNALES OF ENGLAND From the Yeare 1508. to the Yeare 1558. The first Booke AFter the death of HENRY the Seventh his only Sonne HENRY Prince of Wales vndertooke the government of this Kingdome He had then attained to the age of eighteene yeares and was richly adorned with endowments both of Bodie and Mind For of Stature he was tall of a beautifull Aspect and of Forme through all his age truly beseeming a King hee was wittie docile and naturally propense to Letters vntill pleasures to which the libertie of Soueraigntie easily prompteth did somewhat vnseasonably withdraw him from his Studies to these you may addâ— a great Spirit aspiring to the glorie both of Foâ—titude and Munificence This towardlinesse was so seconded by the happie care of his Tutors that if the end of his Raigne had beene answerable to the beginning HENRY the Eighth might deservedly haue beene ranked amongst the greatest of our Kings For if you consider his first twentie yeares you shall not easily find any one that either more happily managed affaires abroad or gouerned more wisely at home or that bare greater sway among his Neighbour Princes This I thinke ought chiefly to be ascribed to the prouidence of his wise Father and his Grandmother then still aliue For they tooke care that he should haue wise and vertuous Ouer-seers in his youth by whose assistance hauing once passed the hazards thereof he happily auoided those rockes whereon so many daily suffer wracke But these either dying or being so broken with age that they could bee no longer imployed in affaires of State and He himselfe being now come to those yeares that commonly cast aside modestie Modestie I say the Guardian of that great Vertue then making vse of no Counsellour but his will he fell into those vices which notwithstanding the glorie of his former Raigne branded him deeply with the fowle staines of Luxurie and Crueltie But remitting those things to their proper places those Worthies appointed his Counsailours were William Warham Archbishop of Canterburie and Lord Chancelour of England Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester Thomas Ruthall Bishop of Durham Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey Lord Treasurer of England George Talbot Earle of Shrewsburie Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Charles Somerset Lord Chamberlaine Knights Sir Thomas Louell Knights Sir Henrie Wyat Knights Sir Edward Poynings These men the solemnitie of the dead Kings Funerals being duly and magnificently performed erected him a Tombe all of brasse accounted one of the stateliest Monuments of Europe which one would hardly conceiue by the bill of accompts For it is reported that it cost but a thousand pound The Monument is to be seene at Westminster the vsuall place of our Kings Interments in that admirable Chappell dedicated to Saint Stephen by this King heretofore built from the ground a testimonie of his religious pietie I haue read that this Chappel was raised to that height for the summe of fourteene thousand pounds and no more and that he at the same time built a Ship of an vnusuall burthen called from him The great Henrie which by that time it was rigged cost little lesse then that stately Chappell But now O HENRY what is become of that Ship of thine that other worke besides the reward of Heauen will perpetually proclaime thy pious munificence Hence learne ô Kings that the true Trophies of Glorie are not to be placed in Armories and Arsenalls but and those more durable in pious Workes Seeke first seeke the Kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof and without doubt all other things shall be added vnto you But to goe on in my proposed course although HENRY the Eighth began his Raigne the two and twentieth of April
the MOWBRAYES who had beene all Dukes of Norfolke enioyed this Honour by right of Inheritance But because in Bosworth field where hee was slaine hee tooke part with the Vsurper both he and his Posteritie were deprived of that Honour This THOMAS dying in the yeare 1524. his Sonne of the same name succeeded him who deceased in the yeare 1554. His Sonne HENRY a young Lord of great hopes his Father then living was beheaded towards the end of this Kings Raigne Hee left Issue THOMAS the last Duke of Norfolke who also lost his head the yeare 1572. and HENRY at nurse when his Father died a very learned and wise man whom King IAMES no good man repining thereat created Earle of Northampton THOMAS Duke of Norfolke had three Sonnes that survived him PHILIP THOMAS and WILLIAM PHILIP Earle of Surrey and by his Mother of Arundell condemned the yeare 1589. and after dying in prison left Issue THOMAS then a little one who by King IAMES his favour succeeded his Father in his Honors His Vncle THOMAS out of the same fountaine of Royall Goodnes was created Earle of Suffolke with addition of the dignity of Lord Chamberlaine Beside these this Family hath CHARLES Earle of Nottingham Lord Admirall of England Nephew by the Lord WILLIAM his father to THOMAS Duke of Norfolke that famous Triumpher ouer the Scots This is he who in emulation of his grandfathers glory in the yeare 1588. vnder the fortune of Queene ELIZABETH most happily ouerthrew that vainely called Inuincible Armada of Spaine THOMAS also Viscount Bindon is deriued from THOMAS Duke of Norfolke by his sonne the Lord THOMAS So this noble House latély afflicted now gloriously flourishing hath foure Earles and a Viscount all braue and famous men and of whom there will be occasion of much to be spoken hereafter I therefore thought it good in briefe to set downe their Genealogie lest I should trouble the Reader with too often repetition of their Race vpon each mention of the Name At the time of this Dukes creation others were also honored with new titles CHARLES BRANDON made Duke of Suffolke and CHARLES SOMERSET Earle of Worcester and EDWARD STANLEY Lord Mountegle Sir WILLIAM BRANDON Standard bearer to HENRY the seuenth in Bosworth field and there slaine by the hand of RICHARD the Third was father to this new Duke of Suffolke of whose education he then a little one King HENRY hauing obtained the Crowne was verie carefull and made him rather a companion than a seruant to the young Prince of whose household hee was The Prince so greatly fauored him partly for his fathers deserts chiefely for his owne that he being afterward King created him Viscount Lisle and intending at least many were so persuaded to giue him to wife the Ladie MARY his sister who afterward was married to the King of France thought it first good to honour him with the Duchie of Suffolke which this yeare at the feast of Candlemas was performed But how he was frustrated of his hopes and afterward beyond all hope enioyed her shall be declared hereafter SOMERSET the naturall sonne of HENRY of the House of Lancaster the last Duke of Somerset tooke his surname of his fathâ—rs Honour whereas he should haue beene called BEAVFORT or rather PLANTAGENET according to the antient name of our English Kings Heâ— being Couzen german to HENRY the Seuenth whose mother was MARGARET Sister to the Duke of Somerset and famous for his many vertues of which that King was a quicke and exact Iudge was by him made L. high Chamberlaine of England But hauing behaued himself very valiantly in this last expedition against the French wherein GVICCIARDIN vntruly reporteth him to haue been slaine HENRY the eighth added this new title which his posteritie still inioyes to his antient honors He was great grandfather by his son HENRY nephew WILLIAM to EDWARD the now Earle who being one of his Maiesties most honorable priuy Counsel Lo. Priuy Seale doth by his vertues much more ennoble his so noble Ancestors The French King hearing of the ouerthrow of the Scots perceiuing himselfe depriued of such a frieud confederat seeing his kingdom on fire about his ears and none to relie vpon but himselfe determined if so he might fairely and with credit to craue his League with vs. Pope IVLIVS 2. the Incendiarie of Christendoine was lately dead and the French king himselfe was now a widower He therefore intends to try whither by marrying the lady MARY the kings sister he might secure himselfe from war on our side and by so neere alliance gaine the assured friendship of so potent a Prince LEO 10. succeeding IVLIVS 2. did openly side with the French against the Spaniard He therefore earnestly soliciting a reconciliation a Peace was cluded profitable to the French acceptable to vs and on the 9 of October the nuptials were with great pompe solemnised The French king was well stricken in yeres his wife a tender virgin of some 16. or 18. yeares of age but wonderfull beautifull Besides the forementioned reasons the desire of children for he had no masle issue on His part on Her part the publique weale the authoritie of her brother so willing and which beares chiefest sway in a womans heart the supremacy of honor in the title of a Queen were motiues to match so Vneuen a Paire But many not without cause were persuaded that she had rather haue made choice of BRANDON for her husband so her power had been answerable to her wil than the greatest Monarch in the world neither was it long before she enioyed her desire For the king as it often happens to elderly men that apply theÌ„selues to yong womeÌ„ died the last of Febr. hauing scarce 3 months suruiued his wedding The queenâ— might then lawfully according to the articles of agreemeÌ„t return into England which she earnestly desiring the Duke of Suffolke was sent to conduct her who becomming a fresh suitor vnto her so far easily preuailed that before their departure from Paris they were there priuatly married The marriage was afterward by the kings consent celebrated at Greenwich the 13 day of May of the ensuing yeare And now we must speake something of VVOLSEY'S sudden and for these our times incredible rising who hauing as we haue related before beene inuested in the Bishopricke of Tournay was within the yeare preferred to two other Bishopricks That venerable Bishop of Lincolne WILLIAM SMITH was lately deceased who beside many other monuments of his piety hauing begun in Oxford a Colledge for students called Brasen nose Colledge was immaturely taken away before he could finish so good a work So the Sea being vacant it is conferred on WOLSEY now high in the Kings fauour Hee was of verie meane parentage a Butchers sonne and Jpswiâ—h a towne in Suffolke but of Norwich Diocesse where hee afterward laid the foundation of a stately Colledge was the place of his birth He was brought vp at Oxford in
This THOMAS surnamed BECKET hauing obstinatly opposed HENRY the second was in this Church slain by certaine soldiers and being afterward canonized for a Saint his sepulchre mightily encreased the glory of the place For from those times euen almost to our dayes all sorts of people from all parts of Europe superstitiously frequented the Shrine of this vpstart Saint with rich oblations indeuoring to procure his fauor Hence the Monastery was so inriched that of it and the Church ERASMVS said That euery place was enlightened with the lustre of most pretious and huge stones and the Church throughout abounded with more than Royall Treasure But the Shrine especially that contained the reliques of this Saint was so embossed with jewels that gold was the meanest thing about it Hither accompanied with King HENRY came the Emperor CHARLES but whether out of deuotion or curiositie I cannot say But this is certaine that the Cardinall and the Clergie going in procession to the Church they went directly where a great deale of time was spent in Ceremonious worship and ablations at BECKETS Tome not onely by the Emperour but euen by Him who shortly after defaced the Monument and seised vpon that infinite Treasure heaped vp by the deuout follie of many preceding ages From the Church they went to the Archbishops Palace where the Queene Aunt to the Emperour awaited them and very ioyfully welcommed her Nephew Three dayes were spent in banketing pastimes and then the Emperour went to his Nauy at Sandwich the King and Queene to Douer from whence they passed to Calais that the intended interuiew of the two Kings might worke it's due effects The seuenth of Iune was the appointed day The place betweene Ardres and Guisnes There the two Kings mounted on Spanish Gennets attended by such a multitude of Nobilitie as the occasions of a hundred yeres before had not at once brought together the like incountred each other both in the floure of their age the goodliest Princes of the world and most expert in all kinde of combates both on horse and foot It were needlesse to set forth the magnificence of these Princes when the brauerie of their attendants was such that the place was thence named The golden campe Hauing embraced each other on horseback they alight and betake themselues to a Pauilion there purposely pitched HENRY attended on by the Cardinall of Yorke and the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke FRANCIS by the Admirall BONIVET the Chancellour du PRAT and some other Counsellors Hauing had familiar conference concerning some priuate matters they gaue order for erecting a Theater and enclosing a ground for a Tilt-yard that so they might solace themselues whiles their Counsell treated of grauer matters the conclusion whereof they might at leisure euery day know by relation Fourteene dayes these Princes gaue each other the meeting with great concourse of most famous soldiers HENRY then entertained the French King at Guisnes in a house made of timber framed partly in England partly in Holland and thence brought thither wherein there were foure Mansions The out side was couered with cloth so painted that it would haue deceiued the beholders for squared stone the in side was hung with most rich Arras so that it euery way seemed a most artificiall and stately Building The forme of it was much like that of the Exchange at Calais It being afterward taken asunder was transported into England and so stood the King in little or nothing saith BELLAY Whereas wee know and that by Records that there were sent ouer out of England for this Worke three hundred Masons six hundred Carpenters two hundred Painters Glasiers and other Artificers in all eleuen hundred which for the space of two moneths laboured continually on this fabricke The day ensuing the French King prepares a banquet the banqueting house was a Canopy euery way extended sixtie foot which without was couered with cloath of Tissue within with blew velvet pouldred with golden floures de Lys. At each corner was a Pauilion of the same workes the cords were of blew silke twisted with gold of Cyprus which was of great esteeme But a most impetuous and tempestuous winde broke asunder the cords and laid all this brauerie in the dirt Patience par force The French King suddenly makes another banquetting house in that place where there is now a Fort that takes it's name from this banquet The preparations were extraordinary and the magnificence outstripped the reach of humane iudgement There wanted neither houses woods nor fields for disport for many men brought them entire on their backes But pleasures must haue their intermission and Kings if not by their Greatnesse are by their Affaires seuered HENRY therefore returnes to Calais and FRANCIS to Boloigne The tenth of the ensuing moneth the King gallantly attended visited the Emperour at Graueling The Emperour in requitall accompanied him backe to Calais Shewes and banquets are Princes vsuall entertainments To this end the King so commanding a round building is made in the forme of an Amphiteatre eight hundred foot in compasse The sides were of plankes in the middle was a pillar made of eight great masts tied together This pillar supported the weight not onely of the roofe of the whole fabricke whither as into a lower Heauen the Moone and Stars had descended but Organs also and places for the receipt of all sorts of musicke in aboundance These places were adorned with tapestrie statues and curious pictures insomuch that the most fault finding could not complaine of any want in that kinde All things were now prepared for the entertainment of such a guest and the banquet readie to be serued in when the same mischance that befel the French Canopy made our English Heauen and Earth meet together God as displeased with the mad prodigality of these two Kings sent a tempest the violence whereof scattered this counterfeit heauen blew out aboue a thousand wax tapers defaced the glorious thrones prepared for these Princes frustrated the expectation of the people and forced the King to the necessitie of another place But to lec passe the tilting maskes and gorgeous feasts during the six dayes the Emperor stayed at Calais In these seueral enterviewes betweene all these Princes there was no one serious thing done but this that a firme Peace a perpetuall League faithfull Friendship seemed to be concluded on all sides For who would haue thought that it had been possible for discord it selfe to haue disolued this knot where CHARLES FRANCIS attributed so much to HENRY that they made him Vmpier of all controuersies that should arise betweene thē But that there is seldom any heed to be giuen to the Agreements of Princes where they are tied by no other bands as of Religion Affinity or manifest Vtility than that weake one of their plighted Troth those foule dissentions and bloudy wars which afterwards rent all Christendome and opened a way for that cōmon enemy of our Faith may be a sufficient example
forasmuch as the Commissioners demanded it after an impudent and shamelesse manner they in most places incurred the dislike and indignation of the people especially in Germany where they saw this facultie of redeeming soules from Purgatory was either solde for little or nothing or played away in their Tauernes But what speake I of the Commissioners That which made the Germans most impatient was that the heedlesse Pope had giuen to his sister MAGDALEN the profit of the exactions of Indulgences in many parts of Germany and that so openly that euery one must needs know it For all Germany spake it that this money was not gathered for the Pope or the Treasurie of the Church whereby peraduenture some part of it might be employed to good vses but was exacted to satisfie the greedinesse of a woman At that time liued MARTIN LVTHER a Doctor of Diuinity and an Augustine Monke one who vnder a religious Habit did not consecrate himselfe to idlenesse but to God It is reported how truly I know not that recreating himselfe in the fields his companion with whom he then discoursed was suddenly stricken dead with thunder He therupon falling into due consideration of the vncertaintie of death and of iudgment left the study of the Ciuill Law to which he then applied himselfe and renouncing the world betooke himselfe to a Cloister where for his deportment he was beyond exception for learning especially diuine he was scarce matchable Vpon this horrible abuse of the authority of the Keyes being inflamed with a pious zeale he could not containe himselfe but boldly and bitterly inueighed against this grosse impiety Neither staied he there but storme the Pope neuer so much proceeds to other enormities in the Church of Rome some whereof that Church hath since reformed the rest religious Princes by LVTHER awakened out of their dead sleepe of superstition notwithstanding the practises of Rome haue God be thanked exploded New opinions especially in matters of Religion are of themselues alwayes odious HENRY being offended with LVTHERS new as the world then deemed them Tenets thought it would proue to his honor by writing against LVTHER to manifest his learning and pietie to the world Herupon vnder his name a book was set forth better beseeming some antient and deep Diuine than a youthfull Prince whom although he earnestly endeauoured it yet his affaires would not permit to bury himselfe among his books which many thought to haue beene compiled by Sir THO. MOORE some by the Bishop of Rochester and others not without cause suspected to be the worke of some other great Scholler Whosoeuerwrit it LVTHER repli ed in such sort that although his holy zeale were approved by many yet those many could haue wished him more temperate and respectiue of the Maiesty of Kings This Booke was so acceptable to the Pope that according to the example of ALEXANDER the Sixt who entituled the King of Spaine Catholique and of that Pope whosoeuer he were that gaue the French King the title of Most Christian he decreed to grace King HENRY and his Successors with that honorable one of Defender of the Faith Which severall titles are by these Princes retained to this day But LEO long surviued not his gift about the end of the yeare dying as is suspected by poison In the meane time the exulcerated mindes of the Emperour and the French King according to the nature of ambitious hatred that for it 's owne ends makes all causes iust burst out into open wars for the composing whereof each of them had formerly agreed to refer themselues if any differences should arise to the arbitrement of HENRY He therefore sends to each of them Embassadours the Cardinall of Yorke the Earle of Worcester and others who should if it were possible reconcile these inraged Princes All they could do proued but an endeavor for when they thought they had compassed their desires sudden newes came That the Admirall BONIVET had by force taken Fuentaraby a Towne of the Emperours in Biscay The Emperour would not then ratify the Agreement vnlesse this towne were redeliuered which the French denying to do all fell to pieces againe and the War was renewed After their deuoir in this cause our Embassadours went directly to Bruges to the Emperour of whom for a fortnight which was the time of their stay there they had royall entertainment But he held the Cardinall in so great esteeme that it was apparant hee was not ignorant how powerfull the Cardinall was with his Prince And here perhaps it would not be amisse in reguard of those times to let the Reader know the pompe and state of this Cardinall how many Gentlemen attended him apparrelled with velvet and adorned with gold chaines then how many were cloathed in skarlet coats the skirts whereof were guarded with veluet the full bredth of a hand But let him guesse HERCVLES stature by the length of his foot Such was the brauerie of his attendants that in CHRISTIERNE King of Denmarke and other Princes then residing at Bruges it bred amazement It was also reported that he was by Gentlemen of the best ranke serued on the knee a kinde of state which Germany had yet neuer knowne He spent a huge masse of money in that Embassage and that as it is thought not against his will For he by all meanes sought the Emperors fauour hoping that LEO although much younger either cut off by treachery or his owne intemperance might leaue the world before him And then were it no hard matter for him being vnderpropped by the Emperour and our King to be aduanced to the Papacy Wherefore at the first bruit of his death hee posted away PACEY the Deane of Pauls into Italy with Mandates to certaine Cardinalls whom he thought respected him that they should do their best in his behalfe But before hee could reach Rome he was certainely informed that ADRIAN sometimes Tutor to the Emperour and then Viceroy of Spaine was already elected by the name of ADRIAN the Sixt. Anno Dom. 1522. Reg. 12. WOLSEY neuerthelesse was as full of ambitious hope as euer For ADRIAN was a decrepit weake old man and therefore not likely as indeed he did not to survive him In the mean time he might make an ascent by which his ambition might clime He therefore seeks to aduance the Emperors designes more than ever to that end he persuadeth HENRY to denounce war against the French for that he denied to surrender Fuentaraby had broken the Couenants made between them in not standing to the arbitrement of HENRY as both CHARLES FRANCIS had compromised at what time it was likewise decreed that HENRY should declare himself an enemy to the obstinate refuser The French discerning the storme before it came arrests all English ships commits the Merchants to prison and seizeth their goods to His own vse stops all Pensions due either to HENRY for Tournay or to his Sister the Dowager of France for her Ioincture The French
in Bretaigne forced the towne and burned it And hauing wasted all the Country therabout he went into Picardy to ioine with the Imperialls Some Forts they tooke and razed They besieged Hesdin but without successe For Winter comming on and our men dying apace of the Flux they were faine to setsaile homeward I will conclude this yeare with an ignominious and fatall losse to Christendome the Isle of Rhodes being on Christmas day taken by the Turkes while Christian Princes disagreeing about matters of nothing ruine themselues and invite the Miscreant to propagate his long since too too formidable Empire God grant they may at length considering the common danger rowse vp themselues and with joint resistance repell this Enemy of CHRISTS Crosse who although he be far enough from some is too neere to the farthest Anno Dom. 1523. Reg. 15. CHRISTIERNE the Second King of Denmarke by the rebellion of his subiects driuen out of his Kingdom had resided some while with the Emperor whose Sister he had married The fifteenth of Iune acompanied with his wife niepce to Queene KATHERINE he landed at Douer At London they abode some days with that due honor that kinred and Princes giue to one another The fift of Iuly they returned toward Calais In the meane time a Parliament was held at London wherein the States being certified of the necessity of war and what a faire occasion was offered for the recouery of France but that the war was like to be defectiue in regard of the weakenes of it's sinews a great sum of money was easily granted The Kings of France exact money of their subiects at their pleasure the Kings of England do not vsually without a Parliament wherein the pretence of war with France was wont to be a great motive of the subiects liberality And indeed France was at this time greatly distracted being oppressed with so many enemies abroad and having to do with vndermining treachery at home insomuch that our aduantages if wisely followed seemed to promise vs whatsoeuer we could hope for FRANCIS was on the one side pressed with the war of Milan on the other side by the Emperor at home CHARLES Duke of Bourbon reuolted from him by letters inciting our King to the recouery of his hereditary as he acknowledged Right in France whereto respectlesse of paine or perill he promised his faithfull assistance Neither was this offer to be slighted for he had conceiued an implacable hatred against his Prince and was able to make a great party in France His valor and experience were after manifested by the greatnes of his exploits performed in a short space FRANCIS being taken prisoner by him Rome sacked by his conduct the Pope besieged in the Castle of Saint Angelo and faine at last to ransome himselfe and his Cardinalls at a mightie rate These notable aduantages were all let slip through the neuer satisfied ambition and malice of one man but so that it made way for that great alteration which afterward hapned in the estate of the Church Blessed be that Almighty Power that conuerts the wicked designes of men to the good of his Church and his owne glory The Parliament being dissolued the Duke of Suffolke is sent into France with thirteene thousand men viz. six hundred Launces two hundred Archers on horsebacke three thousand Archers on foot fiue thousand Halberdiers seuenteene hundred drawne out of the Garrison of Calais and two thousand six hundred Pioners The English and Imperialls joining invaded the French Dominions tooke Roye Mondidier Bohain Bray Chasteaubeau and marching within twenty two leagues of Paris put the City in a terrible affright vntill the Lord of Brion sent by the King with the comfortable newes of the comming of the Duke of Vendosme with foure hundred Launces makes them take heart againe After these exploits our Forces toward the end of December were recalled In the meane time on the fourteenth of September died Pope ADRIAN the Sixth in whole place IVLIVS MEDICES was after two moneths elected Here WOLSEY againe failed in his hopes who expected by the helpe of the Emperor and the King to haue succeeded ADRIAN But the Emperor neuer intended this dignity for him for he did his best for IVLIVS Neither indeed had hee beenâ— willing could hee haue aduanced him to the Chaire For the Cardinalls were in so short a time weary of ADRIAN who was a stranger and little acquainted with the Court of Rome And the Colledge repined to see any other sit in Saint Peters Chaire then an Italian or at least one bred vp in Jtaly Neuerthelesse WOLSEY was so incensedagainst the Emperour by whose default he was verily persuaded it happened that he missed of the Papacy that now bidding hope farewell he was possessed with a desire to be reuenged on the Emperour for this conceiued iniury Hee therefore on a sudden turnes French and to hinder the Emperours proceedings procured our Forces to be called home pretending the ill season of the yeare with promise that the next Spring they should be returned againe Anno Dom. 1524. Reg 16. BVt CHARLES hauing not giuen any iust cause of breach WOLSEY dared not publiquely to professe his affection toward the French with whom notwithstanding by the intercourse of one IOHN IOACHIM a Genouese he maintaines intelligence and without the priuity of HENRY laies the platforme of a new League The war was very hot betweene the Emperour and the French FRANCIS had already taken Milan and with a mighty army sate downe before Pavia vowing not to rise from thence vntill he had taken it The Duke of Bourbon and the Imperialls were in number little inferior stood in want of nothing but money indeed all in all wherwith the Pope the Venetians our HENRY were to furnish him CLEMENT although he had obtained the Papacy chiefely by CHARLES his meanes detained the money which his predecessor ADRIAN had promised saying It beseemed not his Holinesse to intermeddle with the wars of Princes The Venetians at first answered coldly at length plainely denied for they stood in awe of the French and were jealous of the Emperours ambition And the malicious Cardinall had so played his part with HENRY that the Imperialls disappointed of the monethly summes due from him were exceedingly distressed Now WOLSEY to make a separation betweene these two Princes told the King that he certainly found that the Emperour did but delude him that hee had indeed promised to marry the Kings Daughter but a rumour was raised by the Spaniards That this match would be little either for his profit or his honor forasmuch as vpon the point the Lady MARY was but a Bastard begotten it is true in wedlocke yet incestuously the match being by the Ecclesiasticall Constitutions made vnlawfull for he could not lawfully marry Queene CATHARINE who had beene before married to his brother Prince ARTHVR That both the old and new Testaments were expresse against such coniunctions and that therefore it lay
not in the Pope to dispence with them It is certaine that the Emperors Embassadors had thus discoursed with WOLSEY vpon this very point and WOLSEY made his vse of it accordingly Hee knew the King doated not on his Queene and buzzed these things in his eares in hope he would bethinke himselfe of a new wife This taking as he desired and the King lamenting that for lacke of Issue he should leaue the Kingdome to a Childe to a Woman to One whom in reguard the lawfulnesse of her birth was questionable hee could not with safety make his Heire the Cardinall proposed vnto him for wife MARGARET Duchesse of Alançon a beautifull Lady and Sister to the King of France He knew that vpon his Diuorce from CATHARINE and Marriage with the other HENRY must of necessity fall foule with the Emperour and without hope of reconciliation strongly adhero to the French That this diuorce was for these reasons set on foot by WOLSEY the Imperiall Historians do all accord neither for ought I euer read do Ours deny But howsoeuer it came to passe this is certaine That HENRY in stead of furnishing the Emperour with the money he had promised demanded all that he had already lent Anno Dom. 1525. Reg. 17. RICHARD PACEY Deane of S. Pauls had been not long before sent to Venice as an Agent concerning our affaires in Italy He was a very learned man and worthy had God been so pleased of a better Destiny He knew not the change of the Kings minde But perceiuing the monethly pay due from the King according to promise came not of whole Honor which now lay at stake he was very tender he was much discontented To salue all he assaied to take vp so much money of certaine Merchants with whom it seemes he in part preuailed But the sum was so small that it stood the Imperialls in as small steed yet so great that it exceeded the ability of his priuate estate to make satisfaction Vpon notice of the Kings alienation from the Emperor he fell irrecouerably distracted In the meane time the Duke of Bourbon and the Imperialls were in so great distresse and want of all things that vnlesse they could by some stratagem or other draw the French to commit all to the fortune of a battaile the Army must needs disband They disquiet and trie the French especially in the night preceding Saint Mathias day which was the day of the Emperor CHARLES his natiuity with many false alarmes They make two squadrons of horse and foure of foot The first consisting of six thousand Lansquenets Spaniards and Italians vnder the command of the Marquis of Guasto The second of Spanish foot vnder the Marquis of Pescara The third fourth of Lansquenets vnder the Viceroy LAVNOY and the Duke of Bourbon They came to a wall called the Park-wall vnder the covert of the night cast downe aboue sixty paces enter within it the first squadron taking the way to Mirabell the rest marching toward the Kings Army The King thought the Imperials went to Mirabell as making choice of the plaine open fields to fight in He was vnwilliug to leave the besieged at liberty yet the Plaines were aduantageous for his Horse He therfore commands his Artillery to be discharged which somewhat endamaged them and though vnwilling drawes his Forces out of their trenches then which the Imperials desired nothing more opposed the whole strength of his Army against thē But passing before the Cannon hinders their execution They that tooke the way to Mirabell now turne head and both Armies engage themselues in a cruell fight wherein the King more following Shadowes then Substances and the idle rumors of the vulgar then the meanes of a most certaine and glorious victory is ouerthrowne and taken prisoner loosing beside the floure of the French Nobilitie almost all either taken or slaine at one blow the Duchie of Milan the possession whereof had made him Lord of the greatest part of Lombardy Pope CLEMENT who had left the Emperour for the French which hee afterward repented often aduertised the King that the Imperialls were in great distresse and want that they continually mutinied for lacke of pay that he had taken so sufficient order with the King of England and the rest of the Confederates that they should continue bare enough of money If therefore he would but hold his hand and forbeare to fight necessity enforcing the Imperialls to disband he should be victorious without bloudshed But he was not capable of so good advice His Forces were great yet short of his account his Captaines treacherously abusing him in not furnishing those numbers of foot for which they receiued pay and it were equally a dishonour to him either to seeme to avoid the Enemy or to ly still so long at a siege to no purpose The Diume Power hauing decreed to chastise him permitted him through impatience to run headlong into these errours which so deepely plunged him in those calamities that without Gods especiall favour had proved fatall to him and his France When I consider this and many other the like chances happening as well in the course of a private mans life as in publique affaires I cannot but wonder at the sottish valour of this age wherein rather than endure the touch of the least though fal◠aspersion wee will run the hazard both of life and fortunes How many braue men do wee daily see wonderfull ingenious in this kinde of folly who standing vpon I know not what Points of Honor vpon the least offence challenge the field and wilfully seeke out their owne destruction What in Gods name is become of the patience of that lingering FABIVS who quietly bearing the bitter taunts and mockes of his Souldiers of the People and the Senate yet brought home an easy though late victory We are certainely too blame with the Dog we catch at the shadow and loose the substance Of our Saviour we shall learne that it is the highest point of fortitude In patience to possesse our soules And according to ARISTOTLE True valour is regardles of ill language Mordear opprobrijs falsis matemque colores Fassus honor iuvat mendax infamia terret Quem nisi mendosum mendacem It is HORACE Backe-bitten must I needs turne pale for it False honors please and lying slanders fright Whom but the vnworthy and vainglorious wight In the tent of the captiue King the letters of the Pope and our King concerning their late league with the French being found the Duke of Bourbon now knew the cause why supplies of money came in so slowly And PRAT Lieger here for the Emperor vpon notice of it without leaue withdrew himselfe from Court and on the ninth of Aprill secretly departed the land In the meane time HENRY little suspecting that these secret compacts were knowne to the Emperor about the end of March sent Embassadors to him CVTBERT TONSTAL Bishop of London Sir RICHARD WINGfield Knight of the
he vnderstood was captiously cavilled at by some Sophisters And hauing occasion to speake of the Cardinall of Yorke he called him the Caterpillar of England He vnderstood the King did now loath that wicked sort of men and in his minde to fauour the Truth Wherefore he craueth pardon of his Majesty beseeching him to remember that wee being mortall should not make our enmities immortall If the King would be pleased to impose it hee would openly acknowledge his fault and blazon his Royall Vertues in another Booke Then hee wished him to stop his eares against those slanderous tongues that branded him with Heresy for this was the summe of his Doctrine That wee must bee saued through Faith in Christ who did beare the punishment of our sinnes in every part and throughout his whole body who dying for vs and rising againe raigneth with the Father for euer That he taught this to be the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles and that out of this position hee shewed what Charity was how we ought to behave our selues one towards another that we are to obey Magistrates to spend our whole life in the profession of the Gospell If this Doctrine containe any Jmpiety or Errour why do not his Aduersaries demonstrate it Why do they condemne him without either lawfull hearing or confutation In that he inveigheth against the Pope and his Adherents hee doth it not without good reason forasmuch as for their profits sake they teach things contrary to what Christ and the Apostles did that so they may domineere ouer the Flocke maintaine themselues in Gluttony Idlenes That this was the marke at which their thoughts and deeds aimed and that it was so notorious that they themselues could not deny it That if they would reform themselues by chāging their idle and filthy course of life maintained by the losse and wrong of others the differences might easily be composed That his Tenets were approued by many Princes and Estates of Germany who did reverently acknowledge this great blessing of God amongst whom he wonderfully desired he might ranke his Maiesly That the Emperour and some others opposed his proceedings he did not at all wonder for the Prophet DAVID had many ages since foretold That Kings and Nations should conspire against the Lord and against his Christ and cast away his yoke from them That when he did consider this and the like places of Scripture he did rather wonder that any Prince did fauor the doctrine of the Gospell And to conclude he craued a fauorable answer The King made a sharpe reply to LVTHERS letter accusing him of base inconstancy He stands in defence of his Booke which hee said was in great esteeme with many Religious and Learned men That he reuiled the Cardinall a Reuerend Father was to be regarded as from him from whose impiety neither God nor man could be free That both Himselfe and the whole Realme had found the profitable and wholsome effects of the Cardinalls endeavours who should reape this fruit of LVTHERS railing that whereas he loued him very well before hee would now favour him more than ever That among other of the Cardinalls good deeds this was one that he tooke especiall care that none of LVTHERS leprosy contagion and heresy should cleaue to or take roote in this Kingdome Then he vpbraided him with his incestuous marriage with a Nunne a crime as hainous and abhominable as any At this answer which the King caused to be printed LVTHER grieued much blaming his friends that had occasioned it saying That he writ in that humble manner only to please his Friends and that he now plainely saw how much he was mistaken That he committed the like errour in writing friendly at the request of others to Cardinall CAIETAN GEORGE Duke of Saxony and ERASMVS the fruits whereof were that he made them the more violent That the shewed himselfe a foole in hoping to find Piety and Zeale in Princes Courts in seeking Christ in the Kingdome of Satan in searching for IOHN BAPTIST among the Cloathed in Purple But being he could not prevaile by faire meanes he would take another course The late mention of ERASMVS puts me in minde of a Booke written by him either this or the yeare passed at the entreaty of the King and the Cardinall as he himselfe in an Epistle confesseth entituled De Libero Arbitrio Whereto LVTHER made a quicke reply writing a booke De Servo Arbitrio Anno Dom. 1526. Reg. 18. MAny reasons might move the Emperour to seeke the continuation of a Peace with England The French although they concealed it their King beeing not yet at liberty intend to revenge their late ouerthrow The Turke prepares for Hungary the King whereof LEWIS had married ANNE the Emperors Sister Almost all Italy by the Popes meanes combined against CHARLES whose power is now becom formidable And Germany it self the Boors hauing lately bin vp in arms being scarce pacified do yet every where threaten new tumults In this case the enmity of HENRY must necessarily much impeach his proceedings But many things againe vrge him on the other side his Aunts disgrace for of this he long since had an inkling The late League concluded vnder hand with the French But that which swaied aboue all was the dislike of his promised match with the Kings Daughter That the Queene his Aunt might be reconciled to her Husband there might yet be some hope The League with France especially the French Kings case being now so desperate might be as easily broken as it was made But this Match did no way sort to his minde which he had either for loue or for some other private respects setled els where ISABELLA Sister to IOHN King of Portugall was a brave beautifull Lady and had a Dowry of nine hundred thousand Duckets MARY was neither marriageable nor beautifull yet her by agreement must he marry without any other Dowry then those foure hundred thousand crownes which he had borrowed of HENRY The wars had drawne his Treasury dry and his Subjects in Spaine being required to relieve their Prince doe plainly perhaps not without subornation of some principall persons deny it vnlesse hee marry ISABELLA one in a manner of the same Linage of the same Language and Nation and of yeares sufficient to make a mother By way of seruice Custome growing to a Law they are to giue their King at his marriage foure hundred thousand Duckets if hee will in this be pleased to satisfie their request they promise to double the vsuall summe For these reasons when HENRY sent Embassadours to treate againe whether sincerely or no I cannot say concerning the renewing of the League the marriage of the Ladie MARY and of warre in France to bee maintained at the common charge of both CHARLES answered but coldly and at last even in the very nuptiall solemnities sends to excuse his marriage to the King whereunto the vndeniable desires of his subiects had in a manner forced him
Some doe farther adde that concerning that part of the Embassage of warre against France our demands were such as if they had beene purposely coined by WOLSEY to force the Emperour to the prioritie of an apparent breach For the King demanded no smaller share in the conquest then Picardie Normandie Guien Gascoigne with the title of King of France and that the Emperour partaking both of Perill and Charge should himselfe serve in Person But CHARLES wanting money and tired with continuall perill if he regard either his safetie and ease or his profit must not give his assent especially considering that the Captive King made larger offers and those with Peace then these yea although he became victorious with Warre the event whereof being alwayes doubtfull no man can assure himselfe of wished successe Neither indeed did HENRY expect any other issue of his Embassie then a flat refusall For at the same time he deales with the Regent the Captive Kings Mother to send over some trustie person with whom he might consult of the maine chance which she gladly did dispatching away the Lord of Brion President of Rouen and IOHN IOACHIM with a large Commission and Instructions by all submissive and faire Language to perswade the King to persist in the prosecution of this new League For indeed shee much feared least the consideration of his advantages over the tottering Estate of France might make him flie off againe France was already distressed what would it bee if the Emperour pressing hard on the one side and the Duke of Bourbon a homebred enemy revolting besides many other occasions the English should infest it on the other side In England these Agents found their entertainment such that they could not but hope well especially making meanes to the Cardinall who yet swayed the King WOLSEY long since disaffected the Emperour but now made his hate apparant CHARLES before the baâ—taile of Pauy sent no letters to the Cardinall but intirely written by himselfe and subscribed Your Sonne and Couzen CHARLES After this victorie he sent one or two subscribed barely with his Name without the vsuall solemne forme or any signification of favour or respect These were evident tokens of an alienated minde and WOLSEY durst view hates with him Neither did he deale otherwise with HENRIE then as one beneath him being now puffed vp with the conceipt of that great victory for the obtaining whereof HENRIE did beare a part in the charge though in deed not so great as he promised The Kings affaires now stood vpon those termes that renouncing the strict alliance with the Emperour hitherto by so many ties kept inviolable he must make a party with the French Brion therefore at the Counsaile Table having Audience deplores his Princes calamitie and the miseries inflicted vpon his Countrey by their late overthrow He calleth to minde what Trophies the English erected in France when the Estate of it was most flourishing withall acknowledging that France being now as it were in the Sun-set of its Fortune occasion was offred of advancing the English Colours farther then ever But it would neither beseeme so magnanimous a King nor would it be for the good of England at this time to invade it A generous minde scorneth to insult over one already deiected Neither would the victorie beside the fortune of warre want its dangers being to be communicated with one alreadie become so potent that no lesse then the vnited Forces of all Europe would serve to stop the current of his fortune which must necessarily be done vnlesse we could be content willingly to vndergoe the miseries of a Spanish servitude Hee therefore craved of his Maiestie that leaving the Emperour who puffed vp with his late successe contemned his best Friends Hee would vouchsafe to make a League with the King his Master whom in this so great a time of need if He would bee pleased to raise as it were from the ground He should by so great a benefit oblige him to a faithfull Friendship which hee should vpon all occasions be readie to manifest vnlesse for foule Jngratitude hee had rather vndergo the censure of the Christian World Having delivered thus much in Latine Sir THOMAS MORE afterward Lord Chancellor returned this answer in Latine likewise That the King was well pleased that the French acknowledged Hee wanted not power to revenge old iniuries that having felt his Force they should also tast of his Bounty that Hee would do the vtmost of his indeuour to set their Captive King at libertie Which if Hee effected Hee hoped when Hee had occasion to make vse of their King hee would not be vnmindfull of so good a turne freely done in so vrgent a season Jn the meane time Hee was content to make a perpetuall Peace with them As for the Emperour He would consider what to determine of him So a most firme League is concluded with the French the Regent vndertaking for her Sonne and a separation from the Emperour so openly made that the first thing concluded betweene them was That it should not bee lawfull for the French King in lieu of his ranson to consigne any part of his Kingdome to the Emperour The French were glad of this League who now began to conceiue some hope of good being secure of England Indeed it made so great an impression in the heart of FRANCIS that in his care of our affaires for many yeares together hee shewed himselfe mindfull of so great a benefit These things were done in the winter season A little after FRANCIS having beene a yeare Prisoner in Spaine was vpon these Conditions at length set at liberty That as soone as he came into France hee should consigne the Dutchie of Burgoigne to the Emperour That hee should quit the Soueraignette of Flanders and Arthois That hee should renounce all his right pretended to the Dutchy of Milan and Kingdome of Naples That he should restore to his honours the Duke of Bourbon and the rest that had revolted with him That he should marrie Eleonor the Emperour's Sister Queene of Portugall That he should pay the whole summes of money heretofore due to the King of England his Sister the Queene of France and Cardinall VVolsey The payment whereof the Emperour had vndertaken that wee might not be endammaged by partaking with him For the performance of these and other things of lesse moment FRANCIS not onely bound himselfe by Oath but also delivered his two Sonnes FRANCIS the Dolphin and HENRY Duke of Orleans who should remaine Hostages in Spaine vntill all things were duly performed FRANCIS as soone as hee entred into his Realme ratified all the Articles of the Treaty but that concerning the Dutchie of Burgoigne which hee pretended he could not alienate without the consent of his subiects Having therefore assembled the Estates of the Countrey for the debating of this matter vpon a sudaine in the presence of the Emperours Embassadours is publiquely proclaimed the League made betweene the Kings of England
silver There were two hundred and fourescore Beds the furniture to most of them being silke and all for the entertainment of Strangers onely Keturning to London we were on Saint MARTINS day invited by the King to Greenwich to a Banquet the most sumptuous that ever I beheld whether you consider the dishes or the Markes and Playes wherein the Ladie MARY the Kings Daughter acted a part To conclude the King and MONTMORENCY having taken the Sacrament together the King for himselfe MONTMORENCY in the behalfe of FRANCIS swore the observation of the League The King bestowed great gifts on euery one and dismissed MONTMORENCY who left the Bishop of Bayeux Leiger for his King to endevour the continuance of the amitie begun betweene these Princes Shortly after were sent into France Sir THOMAS BOLEN Viscount Rochfort and Sir ANTHONY BROWNE Knight who together with IOHN CLERRE Bishop of Bath and Wells Leiger in France should take the French King's Oath not to violate the late League in any part and to present him with the Order of the Garter We had now made France ours Nothing remained but to let the Emperour know the effects of the late Confederacy To this end Sir FRANCIS POINTZ and Clarentieux King at Armes are dispatched away to the Emperonr to demand the moitie of the bootie gotten in the battaile of Pavie and the Duke of Orleans one of the French Kings Sonnes left Hostage for his Father to be delivered to HENRY who had borne a share in the charges of that war and therefore expected to partake in the gaines To command him to draw his Army out of Italy and not to disturbe the peace of Christendome by molesting CHRIST'S Vicar This if he refused to do neither was there expectation of any thing else they should forthwith defie him They execute their Commission and perceiving nothing to be obtained Clarentieux and a certaine French Herald being admitted to the Emperous presence do in the names of both Kings proclaime war agaiust him CHARLES accepts it chearefully But the Embassadors of France Venâ—ce and Florence craving leave to depart are committed to safe custodie vntill it be knowne what is become of his Embassadours with these Estate The report hereof flies into England and withall that Sir FRANCIS POINTZ and Clarentieux were committed with the rest Whervpon the Emperour's Embassador is detained vntill the truth be knowne as it shortly was by the safe returne of them both But Sir FAANCIS POINTZ about the beginning of the next Summer died fudainly in the Court being infected with the sweating sicknesse The same happening to divers other Courtiers and the infection spreading it selâ—e over London the Terme was adiourned and the King faine to keepe a running Court But these were the accidents of the ensuing yeare Anno Dom. 1528. Reg. 20. POpe CLEMENT was of himselfe naturally slow but his owne ends made him beyond the infirmity of his nature protract time in this cause concerning the Kings Divorce Bearing himselfe as neuter betweene the Emperor and the French King hee makes them both become iealous of him And war being renewed in Italy hee perceives himselfe likely againe to become a prey to the Conquerour Which if it should happen hee must betake himselfe to the King of England of whose helpe hee was certaine as long as his cause did vncertainly hang in suspence But if hee should determine in the behalfe of the King would he in gratitude be as beneficiall as hope or feare of offending had made him That he much doubted These thoughts possessing the Pope CAESAR'S affaires in Italy began to decline almost all the Townes throughout the Realme of Naples out of hatred to the insolent Spaniard and affection to the French making offer of their Keyes and receiving Garisons of French CLEMENT therefore did not now much stand in awe of the Emperour much against whose minde he was intreated to send a Legate into England LAWRENCE CAMPEGIVS Cardinall and Bishop of Salisbury who together with the Cardinall of Yorke should have the hearing of this Cause so long controverted to no purpose And the more to testifie his affection to the King he did by a Decretall Bull but privately drawne pronounce the Kings marriage with CATHARINE to bee void This Bull was committed to the Legate with these instractions That having shewed it to the King and the Cardinall of Yorke Hee should withall signifie to them that he had authoritie to publish it but not to give sentence vntill hee received new instructions telling him that he was content the King should enioy the benefit of it and it may be hee was then so minded but that it stood him vpon to haue this businesse delayed vntill he had sufficiently secured himselfe from the Emperour These were the pretences of the old Fox to the Legate But his meaning was to make vse of all seasons and to turne with the weather The ninth of October to London comes the Legate the King having given order to the Citie for his solemne entertaiment But the old mans infirmitie frustrated their preparations hee was grievously tormented with the gout and would bee privately brought into the Citie After a few dayes rest carried in a chaire he was brought to the King's presence to whom his Secretary made a Latin Oration wherein having much complained of the extreme crueltie of the Imperials in the sacking of Rome he vsed many words to signifie that the Kings pious bounty shewed in his liberally relieving them in so needfull a season was most acceptable to the Pope and the whole Colledge of Cardinals To this speech EDWARD FOX afterward Bishop of Hereford returned an answere in Latine wherein he declared That his Maiestie was much grieved at his Holinesse calamitie forasmuch as man is naturally touched with a feeling of anothers miseries That He had not onely performed what could bee expected from him as a man but had also done the part of a friend for a friend and what was due from a Prince to CHRIST'S Vicar on earth He did therefore hope that in reguard of his filiall obedience to the Holy Sea if it should happen that He should stand in need of its assistance and authoritie his Holinesse would be pleased readily to grant those things which it might beseeme a Sonne to crave of the common Mother Thus much passed in publique The King and the Legates conferring in private CAMPEGIVS assured the King of the Popes forwardnesse to pleasure him CAMPEGIVS was indeed no bad man and spake truly what hee thought For CLEMENT knowing how difficult a matter it was to deceive a man that was no foole by one conscious of the guile and that was not deceiued himselfe made the Legate beleeue that in this matter of the Divorce hee would be readie to doe for the King whatsoeuer hee should demand After these passages the Legates spent sixe whole moneths in consultation only concerning their manner of proceeding in the Kings Divorce In the meane time the
the way to wipe out the remembrance of an old offence by committing a new Hee found some other pretence to send one FRANCIS CAMPANA into England but his chiefe errand was to will CAMPEGIVS to burne the Bull whereby the King's marriage had before beene pronounced void and to returne to Rome with speed But the newes of the Popes sicknesse at the same time made him deferre the execution of his Mandate For if CLEMENT should die the Cardinall might with safetie gratifie the King who had conferred on him the Bishopricke of Sarisbury and to whom the Cardinall had promised successe answerable to his desires And if hee should permit the King to be thus illuded he feared he might be accompted not onely ingratefull but also treacherous But hee shortly vnderstood the Pope was well whose Mandate he must obey and the Bull as if for Hereâ—ie must be condemned to the fire In the meane time the King who was deeply in loue with ANNE BOLEN according to the nature of Lovers counting each minute by the houre quickly resented this change and never rested vntill hee knew the whole carriage of the matter Then first fell his wrath like thunder on WOLSEY whose wit had hitherto made all his proiects feasible And hee could not beleeve but that it was in his power to effect this also Here I cannot choose but cry out with Comoedian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IOVE and yee Gods how hard a thing It is to serve a raging King Full twenty yeares had WOLSEY served the King behaving himselfe so that hee grew powerfull and wealthy beyond a private fortune and to the rest of the King's Titles had procured the addition of that rich one of a good Prince For as often as I consider how laudably HENRY had hitherto ruled and behold the calamities of ensuing times I cannot but accord with them who ascribe the sway which he did beare over all the Princes of Christendome to the excellency of WOLSEY his counsailes But WOLSEY being taken away to whom shall we impute those effects of Lust Tyrannie and Avarice two Wives killed two put away so many and among them many of the greater sort put to death for their Religion only extremitie only differing in the manner vsed by Hanging against Papists by Fire against Heretiques these were the termes of those dayes the Church or rather the Common-wealth horribly spoiled and robbed of her Patrimony Certainly had WOLSEY sate at the Sterne the King had never like a Ship destitute of a Pilot beene carried to and fro with such contrary and vncertaine motions But inordinate greatnesse is alwayes a burthen to it selfe the waight whereof is augmented by the vsuall attendance of publique enny and hatred the misbegotten Elfes of long and powerfull happinesse WOLSEY the King once offended began presently to totter and at his first frowne as at the roaring of a Lion before any harder course was taken with him was so deiected that although he after seemed a little to lift vp his head yet was hee never able to stand on his feet Nay the King being once alienated from him would never after admit him to his presence Behold power of base Detraction yet I will not exclude the the greatnesse of the Cardinals wealth already devoured in conceit which wipes away the remembrance of the faithfull service of so many yeares and the consideration of so great glory purchased to the King by WOLSEY'S labours I am not ignorant what things were obiected against him But they carry so little shew of probability that I should much suspect his iudgement that would give any credit to them Vntill it was knowne that the King inraged at the slow proceedings in the cause of his Divorce did day and night breath out against him threats and revenge no man ever preferred Bill against him which considering the vsuall severe courses held by our Parliaments must needs acquit him of Abuse of Power As for the causes of the King's anger wee will derive them rather from his owne discontents then WOLSEY'S faultinesse The King by this time knew the treachery of the dissembling Pope Hee had neere five yeares wandered in the Labyrinth of the Court of Rome and could find no clue to lead him out He therefore determined to make a way where he could not find one and like ALEXANDER by force to vndoe that Gordian knot which by wit and labour hee could not To WOLSEY therefore hee communicated his intent of marrying another whether the Pope were willing or no wishing him withall to finde out some course or other whereby CAMPEGIVS his Colleague notwithstanding the late Mandates to the contrary might be drawne to give sentence on his side Many things might be pretended to excuse the deed but chiefly the feare of the King 's high displeasure which peradventure hee should feele too vnlesse hee assented to the King 's iust request WOLSEY his answer to this I cannot relate But this is certaine that WOLSEY whether for that he did not approve of the King 's intended course seeming as the times were then full of rashnesse and insolence or that he would not vndertake the attempting of his Colleague or that as SLEIDAN writes the King had notice that the Cardinall had advised the Pope not to approve of the Divorce from CATHARINE forasmuch as the King was then resolved to marry another infected with Lutheranisme WOLSEY I say was so sharply taken vp and threatned by the King that even then you might reade in his face and gestures the symptomes of his waining fortune For the Cardinall at that time returning from the Court by water the Bishop of Carlile being with him in the same Barge complained of the heate which was then extraordinary to whom WOLSEY replied My Lord if you had beene but now in my place you would have found it hot indeed And as soone as hee came home he put off his clothes and went sicke to bed Before hee had reposed himselfe an houre and halfe the Viscount Rochfort came to him and in the King's Name willed that hee and his Colleague should instantly repaire to the Queene and exhort her not to contend any longer with the King for that it would be more for her good and the honour of them both to submit herselfe to the King's pleasure then to vndergo the disgrace of a publique iudgement For it was now brought to that push that longer deferred it could not be The Cardinall advertised of the King's pleasure did arise and with his Colleague went to the Queene who having notice of their comming went forth and met them After mutuall salutations the Cardinals desired shee would vouchsafe a few words in private but the Queene refused to entertaine any conference with them but where she might have witnesses of what passed WOLSEY then began to speake in Latine but the Queene interrupted him willing that although she vnderstood Latin yet hee should speake in English So in the
names of both Legates he began a speech in English wherein hee professed a great deale of observance and dutie to her and that they came to no other end but to advise her for her good The Queene answered them much after this manner As for your good will I thanke you as for your advise I will give you the hearing But the matter I beleeve about which you come is of so great importance that it will require a great deale of deliberation and the helpe of a braine surpassing that of feminine weaknesse You see my employments shewing them a skaine of white thred hanging about her necke in these I spend my time among my Maides which indeed are none of the greatest Counsailers yet I have none other in England and Spaine where they are on whom I dare relie God wot is farre enough hence yet I am content to heare what you have to say and will give you an answere when we can conveniently So taking the Cardinall by the hand she brought them into a withdrawing roome where having attentively heard out their message shee made this reply That now after twenty yeares the lawfulnesse of my marriage should be questioned I cannot sufficiently wonder especially when I consider who were the Authours of it Many of them are yet alive both in England and Spaine and what kind of men the rest were who are now dead the world knowes Henry and Ferdinand our Parents the most sage Princes of their time and their Counsaile such without doubt who for their wisdome were approved of as fit servants for so iudicious Masters besides the Pope whose Dispensation J have to shew and which was procured by my Father at no small rate But what thing is there so sincere and firme which enuy will not seeke to blast Of these my miseries I can accuse none but you my Lord of Yorke Because I could not away with your monstrous pride excessive riot whoredome and intolerable oppression therefore do I now suffer And yet not only for this for some part of your hatred I am beholding to my Nephew the Emperour whom for that he did not satisfie your insatiable ambition by advancing you to the Papacy you have ever since maligned You threatned to be revenged on him and his Friends and you have performed your promise for you have beene the onely incendiarie and plotter of all the mischiefe and wars against him these late yeares And J am his Aunt whom how you have persecuted by raising this new doubt God only knowes to whose iudgement only I commend my cause This Shee spake in French as it seemed very much moved and would not endure to heare WOLSEY speake in defence of himselfe but courteously dismissed CAMPEGIVS It was now Iune and the Harvest drawing on the Legates thought it high time to make an end of this suite A day therefore being prefixed many of the Nobility and a multitude of the Commonaltie repaired to the Court verily expecting that iudgement should have beene given for the King HENRY having I know not how conceived some hope of the Legates good intents caused a seat to bee placed for himselfe behind the hangings vnder the covert wherof he might vnseene heare whatsoever was spoken or passed in Court The Cardinals being seated the King's Advocates earnestly requiring that sentence might be given on their side CAMPEGIVS made this Oration well beseeming the constancy of a man not vnworthy of the place he supplied J have heard and diligently examined whatsoever hath beene alledged in the King's behalfe And indeed the arguments are such that I might and ought pronounce for the King if two reasons did not controll and curbe my desires of doing his Matestie right The Queene you see withdrawes her selfe from the iudgement of this Court having before vs excepted against the partialitie of the place where she saith nothing can be determined without the consent of the Plaintife Moreover his Holinesse who is the fountaine and life of our authoritâ—e hath by a messenger given vs to vnderstand that hee hath reserved this cause for his owne hearing so that if wee would never so faine proceed any farther peradventure wee cannot J am sure wee may not Wherefore which only remaineth I doe heere dissolve the Court Other then this as the case stands I cannot do and I beseech them whom this Cause concernes to take in good part what I have done Which if they will not although it may trouble me yet not so much as to reguard the threats of any one I am a feeble old man and see death so neere me that in a matter of so great consequence neither hope nor feare nor any other respect but that of the Supreme Iudge before whom I finde my selfe ready to appeare shall sway me How the King was pleased at this you may easily conceive It is reported that the Duke of Suffolke knowing the King to be present and conscious of his infirmitie in a great rage leaping out of his chaire bountifully bestowed a volley of curses vpon the Legates saying It was never well with England since it had any thing to doe with Cardinalls To whom WOLSEY returned a few wordes saying That it was not in his power to proceed without Authoritie from the Pope and that no man ought to accuse them for not doing that whereto their power did not extend But the Kings implacable anger admitted of no excuse WOLSEY himselfe must become a sacrifice to appease it As for CAMPEGIVS hee tasted neverthelesse of the King's bountie and had leave to depart But at Calais his carriages were searched by the King's command The pretence was that WOLSEY intending an escape had by CAMPEGIVS convaied his treasures for Rome But the Bull was the Treasure so much sought after The King could not beleive it was burned and if it were found it was enough to countenance his second marriage But found it was not no nor scarce so much money in all the Cardinals carriages as had beene given him by the King WOLSEY his rising and his fall were alike sodaine neither of them by degrees but as the Lion gets his prey by leapes Shortly after the departure of his Colleague vpon the eighteene of October the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke in his Maiesties name commanded him to surrender the Great Seale But he pleaded That the King had by Patent made him Lord Chancellour during terme of life and by consequence committed the custodie of the great Seale to him Neverthelesse hee would resigne his place if his Maiestie so commanded But hee thought it not fit having received the Seale from the King to deliver it to any other but vpon especiall Command The Lords returning to Windsore where the Court then was the next day brought the King's Letters whose Mandate the Cardinall forthwith obeied In this Dignitie the six and twentieth of October Sir THOMAS MORE succeeded whose admirably generall learning is so well knowne to the world that I
Eight his Chappell in the Church of Windsore That three of his Children raigning after him none of them vndertooke by perfecting it to cover the as it were vnburied bones of their Father what may wee thinke but that the excessive charge of it deterred them But vpon a further ininquiry we may more iustly ascribe it to the especiall iudgement of the Divine Providence who had decreed that he who had so horribly spoiled the Church should alone be debarred the honor afforded to each of his Predecessours in the Church And thus much concerning WOLSEY who died the thirtieth of November 1530. In the meane time in Iune Anno 1529. after long debating the matter to and fro by the mediation of Louyse the French Kings Mother and MARGARET Aunt to the Emperour these two Princes are drawne to an accord a Peace is concluded betweene them at Cambray thence commonly called The Peace of Cambray but by vs The Peace of Women The chiefe Conditions whereof and that any way concerned vs were That the French King should giue to the Emperour for the freedome of his Children who had beene three yeares Hostages in Spaine for their Father two Millions of Crownes whereof he should pay foure hundred thousand due from the Emperor by the League made Anno 1522. to Henry and his Sister Mary Dowager of France Beside which huge summe he should also acquit the Emperor of fiue hundred thousand which he did owe to our King for the indemnity of the marriage betweene the Emperour and the Lady Mary the Kings Daughter whom having beene long since contracted hee left to marry with the Daughter of Portugall And that hee should vngage and restore to the Emperour the Flower de Lys of gold enriched with precious stones a piece of our Saviours Crosse which Philip truly called The Good Duke of Burgoigne the Emperours Father being driven into England by contrary windes had ingaged to Henry the Seventh for fifty thousand Crownes So that the summe to be paid to HENRY amounted to nine hundred and fifty thousand Crownes besides sixteene hundred thousand more to be payed to the Emperour at the very instant of the delivery of the French King's Children The totall summe was two millions fiue hundred fifty thousand Crownes which of our money make seven hundred sixty five thousand pounds FRANCIS not knowing which way sudainly to raise so huge a masle by his Embassadours intreated our King to be pleased to stay some time for his moneyes But HENRY was much moved that he had not beene made acquainted with this Treaty notwithstanding his secret designes made him temper his choler nay and with incredible liberality to grant more then was demanded For hee absolutely forgave him the five hundred thousand Crownes due for the not marrying his Daughter hee gave the Flower de Lys to his Godsonne HENRY Duke of Orleans and left the other foure hundred thousand to be payed by equall portions in five yeares The Pope had lately by his Legates deluded HENRY who was therevpon much discontented not knowing what course to run And this is thought to be the cause of his so extraordinary liberality toward the French The King being then in progresse and hunting at Waltham it happened that STEPHEN GARDINER Principall Secretary of Estate after Bishop of Winton and FOX the King's Almoner after Bishop of Hereford were billeted in the house of a gentleman named CRESSEY who had sent his two sons to be brought vp at Cambridge vnder the tutelage of THOMAS CRANMER Doctour in Divinity a man both very learned and vertuous The plague then spreading it selfe in Cambridge CRANMER with his two Pupils betooke himselfe to Master CRESSEY their father his house Where GARDINER and FOX among other table talke discoursing of the Kings Suite concerning his Divorce which had so many yeares depended in the Court of Rome vndecided CRANMER said that he wondred the King required not the opinions of the most famous learned men that were any where to be found of whom the world had many far more learned then the Pope and followed not their iudgements What CRANMER had as it were let fall by chance they report to the King who sudainly apprehending it said that this fellow whosoever he was had hit the naile on the head and withall demanding his name caused CRANMER to be sent for whom he commended for his but too late advise which course if he had taken but five yeares before hee should now have had an hundred thousand pounds in his purse which he had vnprofitably in this suite cast away on the Court of Rome he commands CRANMER to write a Tract concerning this question wherein having drawne together what reasons hee could for the confirmation of his advice hee should conclude with his owne opinion CRANMER did it very readily and is therevpon with Sir THOMAS BOLEN lately created Earle of Wiltshire CARNE STOKESLEY and BE NET Doctours of Law with others sent on an Embassie to Rome CRANMER'S booke is to be presented to his Holinesse and they are commanded to challenge the Court of Rome to a disputation wherin the Contents of that book should be maintained the argument whereof was That by the authority of holy Scripture ancient Fathers and Councels it was vtterly vnlawfull for any man to marry his Brothers Widow and that no such marriage could bee licenced or authorized by the Popes Dispensation This being done the King's intent was they should procure the opinions of all the Vniversities throughout Europe by whom if he found his former marriage condemned then without farther expecting the approbation of the Sea of Rome he was resolved to run the hazard of a second To this the amity of the French seeming very conducible the King had by his former liberality sought to oblige him The Embassadours came to Rome had audience were promised a publique disputation whereof they were held so long in expectation that perceiving their stay there to bee to little purpose they all returned into England except CRANMER who with the same instructions that hee had formerly beene sent to the Pope was to go to the Emperour whose Court was then in Germany There this good learned man hitherto no friend to LVTHER while he defends his owne booke and the King's Divorce against the most learned either of Protestants or Papists is thought to have beene seasoned with the leaven of that doctrine for which after he had beene twenty yeares Archbishop of Canterbury he was most cruelly burned While CRANMER thus laboured abroad the King at home deales with LANGEY the French Embassadour by whose meanes with the forcible Rhetoricke saith one of some English Angels hee obtained of the Vniversities of Paris with the rest throughout France Pavia Padua Bononia and others this Conclusion That the Pope who hath no power over the Positive Law of God could not by his Dispensation ratifie a marriage contracted betweene a Brother and a brothers Widow it being forbidden by the expresse words
of Scripture The eight of December the King graced three noble and worthy men with new titles of honour THOMAS BOLEN Viscount Rochfort the King 's future Father in law was created Earle of Wiltshire ROBERT RATCLIF Viscount Fitz-Walter of the noble Family of the FITZ-WALTERS Earle of Sussex in which honour his sonne THOMAS his nephevves THOMAS first then HENRY brother to THOMAS and now ROBERT the sonne of HENRY have succeeded him And GEORGE Lord Hastings was made Earle of Huntingdon who left it to his son FRANCIS Father of HENRY who deceased without issue and GEORGE Grandfather to HENRY the now Earle by FRANCIS who died before his Father Anno Dom. 1530. Reg. 22. WILLIAM TINDALL having translated the New Testament into English and procured it to be printed at Antwerp had secretly dispersed many copies thereof throughout England Whereat the Bishops and Clergy especially those that were most addicted to the Doctrine of Rome stormed excedingly saying that this Translation was full of errours and that in the prefaces and else where it contained many things contrary to the Truth The King being angry with the Pope had long since determined to free himselfe from his vsurped power And therefore admonished the murmuring Clergy to correct this booke not to suppresse it for it was a most profitable worke and very necessary for the discovery of the deceits of the Court of Rome the tyranny whereof was become intolerable to all the Princes of Christendome Whereupon he giveth order to the Bishops and some other learned men to set forth a new Translation which his subiects might reade with safety and profit The hope of prevailing with the Pope by the French King's meanes had drawne HENRY to send on a second Embassage to the Pope the Earle of Wiltshire Doctour STOKESLEY Elect of London and EDWARD LEE WOLSEY his Successor in Yorke They found the Pope at Bononia with the Emperour but had no other answer to their demands then that his Holinesse when he came to Rome would indevour to do the King iustice Till then he could do nothing Faire meanes not prevailing the King runs another course â—y publique Proclamation throughout the Kingdome he forbids all commerce betweene his subiects and the Bishop of Rome commanding that no man should receive any thing from or send any thing especially money vnto him either by exchange or any other meanes calling him Tyrant the Harpy of the World the common Incendiary and deeming him vtterly vnworthy of that glorious title which he had vaingloriously vsurped Christs Vicar This in September But the wealth of the Clergy being very great and considering how they had in the Raignes of his Predecessors strongly sided with the Pope the King was some what iealous of them To curbe them hee condemnes the whole Clergy throughout the Kingdome in a Praemunire for that without licence from his Maiesty they had beene obedient to the authority of the Pope in acknowledging WOLSEY for his Legate The Clergy of the Province of Canterbury being assembled in Convocation buy their pardon at a hundred thousand pounds and in this Synode he is with much ado by the Clergy of both Provinces declared next vnder Christ Supreme Head of the Church of England and all foraine power or authority whatsoever disclaimed The Province of Yorke is moreover fined at eighteene thousand eight hundred forty pounds So this one fault if it may be so accompted it being certaine that WOLSEY was licenced to exercise his authority Legantine cost the Clergy a hundred and eighteene thousand eight hundred and forty pounds Anno Dom. 1531. Reg. 23. THe only publique memorable occurrents of this yeare were that the Laity for the most part as deepe in a Praemunire as the Clergy were by Act of Parliament pardoned In which assembly Sir THOMAS MORE Lord Chancellour and other remarkable speakers related at large the Conclusions of the Vniversities concerning the vnlawfulnesse of the Kings marriage And yet perhaps the notorious villany of RICHARD ROSE Cooke to the Bishop of Rochester might crave a place in this History who with poysoned broth killed sixteene of the Bishops servants The Bishop himselfe who was especially aimed at that day contrary to his accustomed diet forbearing broth escaped The poisoner according to a Law lately enacted was throwne into a cauldron of boyling water But the offence deserved tortures of a most exquisite straine Anno Dom. 1532. Reg. 24. ON the three and twentieth of August died WILLIAM WARHAM Archbishop of Canterbury to whom THOMAS CRANMER at that time in Germany about the Kings affaires was appointed Successor He was not so ambitious as to aspire to such a dignity and some reasons made him vnwilling to accept it being offred He knew before he could be consecrated he must sweare obedience to the Pope which with a safe conscience he could not He feared what would be the issue of this abrupt seperation from the Sea of Rome Hee knew the King's disposition to be violent such sudaine changes to be full of danger and the Court although hee had not yet purchased the acquaintance of it to be a meere schoole of fraud and dissembling The Kings pleasure must necessarily be obeyed and if he slipped neuer so little enuy the mischievous attendant of great felicity would helpe him forward to a breake-necke CRANMER also having long since lost his Wife whom he had married in his youth had taken a liking to a certaine maide neipce to OSIANDERS wife whom he intended to make his second wife yet hee knew that the Canon Law permitted not Priests to marry and made them vncapable of holy Orders who had beene twice married These considerations made him linger in Germany six whole moneths after the dispatch of his businesle hoping that his absence might afford meanes to some other to worke a way to the Archbiâ—hopricke But the times were such that they to whom desert might give greatest hopes of attaining it did abhorre this still â—ottering and slippery dignity and even they who were already advanced to the like indeavoured to betake themselves to the safety of meaner fortune As did Sir THOMAS MORE the Lord Chancellour who by his continuall ernest petitions obtained leave of the King on the fifteene of May to resigne his place and Sir THOMAS AWDLEY on the fourth of Iune was in his steed made Lord Keeper CRANMER having privately married his wife at Norimberg at length returned into England where the Kings importunity prevailing beyond all scrupulous difficulties CRANMER is though much against his will made Archbishop of Canterbury the Pope also by his Bull confirming the Election He refusing the Arbishopricke because hee must take an oath to the Pope delivered the Bull to the King protesting that hee would never accept of any Bishopricke in England but from the King who was Supreme Head of the Church of England and that he would not take any oath that should any way derogate from the King's
especially against Heretiques and broachers of new Opinions and should relate strange visions revealed by God to her in the time of her ecstasie By these jugling trickes not only among the Vulgar who termed the holy Maid of Kent but among the wiser sort such as were Archbishop WARHAM Bishop FISHER and others her sanctity was held in admiration The Imposture taking so generally her boldnesse increased Shee prefixeth a day whereon she shall be restored to perfect health and the meanes of her recouery must be procured forsooth by a pilgrimage to some certaine Image of our Lady The day came and shee beeing brought to the place by the like cousenage deceiued a great number of people whom the expectation of the miracle had drawne thither and at last as if she had iust then shaken off her disease shee appeares whole and straight vnto them all saying That by especiall command from God shee must become a Nunne and that one Doctor BOCKING a Monke of Canterbury there present was ordained to bee her Confessor which office hee willingly vndertooke vnder pretext whereof this Nunne liuing at Canterbury BOCKING often resorted to her not without suspition of dishonesty The intended Divorce from CATHARINE and marriage with ANNE BOLEN had much appalled most part of the Clergy for then a necessity was imposed on the King of a divorce from the Papall Sea in which the Church and all Ecclesiasticall persons were likely to suffer The apprehension whereof wrought so with BOCKING that making others conscious of the intent hee persuaded ELIZABETH BARTON by denuntiation of Gods revealed judgements to deterre the King from his purposed change Shee according as shee was instructed proclaimes it abroad That the King aduenturing to marry another CATHARINE surviving should if in the meane time hee died not some infamous death within one moneth after be depriued of his Kingdome The King heares of it and causeth the Impostrix to be apprehended who vpon examination discouered the rest of the conspirators who were all committed to prison vntill the next Parliament should determine of them ELIZ. BARTON BOCKING MASTERS the afore mentioned Curate of the Parish DEERING and RISBEY Monkes with GOLD a Priest are by the Parliament adiudged to dy The Bishop of Rochester and ADESON his Chaplaine one ABEL a Priest LAVRENCE the Archdeacon of Canterbury his Register and THOMAS GOLD Gentleman for hauing heard many things whereby they might guesse at the intents of the Conspirators and not acquainting the Magistrate with them are as accessory condemned in a Praemunire confiscation of their goods and perpetuall imprisâ—nment ELIZABETH BARTON and her Companions hauing each of them after a Sermon at Pauls Crosse publiquely confessed the Imposture are on the twentieth of Aprill hanged and their heads set ouer the gates of the City By the same Parliament the authority of the Convocation to make Canonicall Constitutions vnlesse the King giue this Rovall assent is abrogated It is also inacted That the Collocation of all Bishoprickes the Seas being vacant should henceforth be at the Kings dispose and that no man should be chosen by the Chapter or consecrated by the Archbishop but he on whom the King by his Congé D'eslire or other his Letters had conferred that Dignity And wheras many complained that now all commerce with Rome was forbidden all meanes were taken away of mitigating the rigour of the Ecclesiasticall Lawes of Dispensation Papall authority is granted to the Archbishop of Canterbury the King reserving to himselfe the power of dispensing in causes of greater moment And that all Appeales formerly wont to be made from the Archbishop to the Pope should now bee from the Archbishop to the King who by Delegates should determine all such suites and controversies Furthermore the Kings marriage with the Lady CATHARINE is againe pronounced incestuous the Succession to the Crowne established on the Kings Issue begotten on Queene ANNE And all aboue the age of sixteen yeares throughout the Kingdome are to be bound by oath to the obseruance of this Law whosoeuer refused to take this oath should suffer losse of all their goods and perpetuall imprisonment Throughout all the Realme there were found but two who durst refractoâ—ily oppose this Law viz FISHER Bishop of Rochester and Sir THOMAS MOORE the late Lord Chancellor men who were indeed very learned but most obstinate stickers in the behalfe of the Church of Rome who being not to be drawne by any persuasions â—o be conformable to the Law were committed to prison from whence after a yeares durance they were not freed but by the losse of their liues But the King fearing that it might be thought That hee tooke these courses rather out of a contempt of Religion than in regard of the tyrannie of the Court of Rome to free himselfe from all suspition either of favouring LVTHER or any authors of new Opinions began to persecute that sort of men whom the Vulgar called Heretiques and condemned to the cruelty of that mercilesle Element Fire not only certaine Dutch Anabaptists but many Professors of the Truth and amongst others that learned and godly young man IOHN â—RITH who with one HEWET and others on the two and twentieth of July constantly endured the torments of their martyrdome The fiue and twentieth of September died CLEMENT the Seuenth Pope in whose place succeeded ALEXADER FARNESE by the name of PAVLVS the Third who to begin his time with some memorable Act hauing called a Consistory pronounced HENRY to be fallen from the Title and Dignity of a King and to be deposed re-iterating withall the thunder of Excommunication with which bug-beare his predecessor CLEMENT had sought to affright him But this peradventure happened in the insuing yeare after the death of FISHER and MORE A Parliament is againe called in November wherein according to the Decree of the late Synod the King was declared Supreme Head of the Church of England and the punishment all crimes which formerly pertained to the Ecclesiasticall Courts is made proper to him So the Kingdome is vindicated from the vsurpation of the Pope who before shared in it and the King now first began to raigne entirely Also all Annates or first Fruits formerly paid to the Pope are granted to the King And Wales the seat of the remainder of the true antient Britans hitherto differing from vs compounded of Normans and Saxons as well in the forme of their gouernment as in Language is by the authority of this Parliament to the great good of both but especially that Nation vnited and incorporated to England EDWARD the First was the first who subdued this Countrey yet could hee not prevaile over their mindes whome the desire of recouering their lost liberty animated to many rebellions By reason whereof and our suspitions being for two hundred yeares oppressed either with the miseries of seruitude or war they neuer tasted the sweet fruits of a true and solid peace But HENRY the Seuenth by bloud in reguard
of his Father and birth a Welchman comming to the Crowne as if they had recouered their liberty whereto they so long aspired they obeied him as their lawfull Prince So the English being freed of their former jealousies permitted them to partake of their Priuiledges since common to both Nations the good whereof equally â—edounded to both I could wish the like Vnion with Scotland That as wee all liue in one Island professing one Faith and speaking for the most part one Language vnder the gouernment of one and the same Prince so we may become one Nation all equally acknowledging our selues Britans and so recouer our true Countrey Britaine lost as it were so many hundreds of yeares by our divisions of it into England Scotland and Wales Anno Dom. 1535. Reg. 27. THe Coronation of the new Queene and other passages of entertainment had exhausted the Treasury The Pope and the Emperour were both enemies of HENRY watchfully attending all opportunities to do him mischiefe Neither in regard that so many sided with the Pope were all things safe at home The King was therefore forced to a course seemingly rash and full of dangerous consequences but very necessary for the time Hee resolves to demolish all the Monasteries throughout England Hee is content the Nobility should share with him in the spoile so inriching and strengthening himselfe by their necessary revolt from the Popish faction To this end they that were thought more especially in maintaining the Popes authority to withstand the Kings proceedings were condemned of high Treason and they that refused to acknowledge the King vnder CHRIST Supreme Head of the Church of England are hanged For this cause on the third of May were executed IOHN HOVGHTON Prior of the Charterhouse in London AVGVSTINE WEBSTER Prior of Bevaley and THOMAS LAWRENCE Prior of Exham and with them RICHARD REIGNALDS a Monke and Doctor of Divinity and IOHN HALES Vicar of Thistlehurst On the eighteenth of June EXMEW MIDDLEMORE and NVDIGATE all Charterhouse Monkes suffered for the same cause And foure dayes after IOHN FISHER Bishop of Rochester a man much reverenced by the People for his holy life and great learning was publiquely beheaded and his head set over London bridge Our Histories hardly afford a president of the execution of such a man But the Pope was the occasion of his death who to ease the burthen of his now a yeares imprisonment by the addition of a new title had on the one and twentieth of May created him Cardinall The newes whereof hastened him to a scaffold The sixth of Iuly Sir THOMAS MORE for the same stifnesse in opinion with Bishop FISHER suffered the like death This was that MORE so famous for his Eutopia and many other Workes both in English and Latin As for his conversation the most censorious fault him in nothing but his too too jesting I will not say scoffing wit to which he gaue more liberty then did beseeme the grauity of his person not tempering himselfe in the midst of his calamity no not at the very instant of death After his condemnation hee denied to giue any thing to the Barber that trimmed him affirming That head about which he had bestowed his paines was the Kings if he could prove it to be his that did â—eare it hee would well reward him To his Keeper demanding his vpper garment as his fee hee gaue his Hat Going vp the scaffold he desired him that went before him to lend him his hand to helpe him vp as for comming downe he tooke no care Laying his head vpon the blocke hee put aside his beard which was then very long saying The Executioner was to cut off his head not his beard The executions of so many men caused the Queene to be much maligned as if they had beene done by her procurement at least the Papist would haue it thought so knowing that it stood her vpon and that indeed â—hee endeavoured that the authority of the Pope of Rome should not againe take footing in England They desired nothing more than the downefall of this vertuous Lady which shortly after happening they triumphed in the overthrow of Innocence In the meane time they who vndertooke the subversion of the Monasteries invented an Engine to batter them more forcibly then the former course of torture and punishment They send abroad subtle headed fellowes who warranted by the Kings authority should throughout England search into the liues and manners of religious persons It would amaze one to consider what villanies were discouered among them by the meanes of CROMWELL and others Few were found so guiltlesse as to dare withstand their proceedings and the licentiousnesse of the rest divulged made them all so odious to the people that neuer any exploit so full of hazard and danger was more easily atchieued then was the subversion of our English Monasteries Anno Dom. 1536. Reg. 28. THis yeare began with the end of the late Queene CATHARINE whom extremity of griefe cast into a disease whereof on the eighth of January she deceased Queene ANNE now enioyed the King without a Rivall whose death not withstanding not improbably happened too soone for her For the King vpon May day at Greenwich beholding the Viscont Rochfort the Queenes brother HENRY NORRIS and others running a tilt arising suddenly and to the wonder of all men departing thence to London caused the Viscont Rochfort NORRIS the Queene her selfe and some others to be apprehended and committed The Queene being guarded to the Tower by the Duke of Norfolke AVDLEY Lord Keeper CROMWELL Secretary of Estate and KINGSTON Lieutenant of the Tower at the very entrance vpon her knees with dire imprecations disavowed the crime whatsoeuer it were wherewith shee was charged beseeching God so to regard her as the iustnesse of her cause required On the fifteenth of May in the hall of the Tower she was arraigned the Duke of Norfolke sitting high Steward to whom were adioined twenty six other Peeres and among them the Queenes Father by whom she was to be tried The Accusers hauing giuen in their evidence and the Witnesses produced she sitting in a chaire whether in regard of any infirmity or out of honour permitted to the Wife of their Soueraigne hauing an excellent quicke wit and being a ready speaker did so answer to all obiections that had the Peeres giuen in their verdict according to the expectation of the assembly shee had beene acquitted But they among whom the Duke of Suffolke the Kings brother in Law was chiefe one wholly applying himselfe to the Kings humor pronounce Her guilty Whereupon the Duke of Norfolke bound to proceed according to the verdict of the Peeres condemned Her to death either by being burned in the Greene in the Tower or beheaded as his Maiesty in his pleasure should thinke fit Her brother GEORGE Viscont Rochford was likewise the same day condemned and shortly after HENRY NORRIS WILLIAM BRIERTON and FRANCIS WESTON
Gentlemen of the Kings Priuy Chamber and MARKE SVETON a Musitian either as Partakers or accessory were to run the same fortune The King greatly favoured NORRIS and is reported to be much grieved that he was to dy with the rest Whereupon he offered pardon to him conditionally that he would confesse that whereof hee was accused But hee answered resolutely and as it became the progenitor of so many valiant Heroes That in his conscience he thought her guiltlesse of the obiected crime but whether she were or no he could not accuse her of any thing and that he had rather vndergo a thousand deaths then betray the Innocent Vpon relation whereof the King cryed out Hang him vp then Hang him vp then Which notwithstanding was not accordingly executed For on the thirteenth of May two dayes after his condemnation all of them viz. the Viscont Rochfort NORRIS BRIERTON and SVETON were beheaded at Tower hill NORRIS left a sonne called also HENRY whom Queene ELIZABETH in contemplation of his Fathers deserts created Baron of Ricot This Lord NORRIS was father to those great Captaines WILLIAM IOHN THOMAS and EDWARD in our dayes so famous throughout Christendome for their braue exploits in England France Irland and the Netherlands On the nineteenth of May the Queene was brought to the place of execution in the greene within the Tower some of the Nobility and Companies of the City being admitted rather to be witnesses than spectators of her death To whom the Queene hauing ascended the scaffold spake in this manner Friends and good Christian people J am here in your presence to suffer death whereto J acknowledge my selfe adiudged by the Lawes how iustly J will not say for I intend not an accusation of any one J beseech the Almighty to preserue his Maiâ—sty long to raigne ouer you a more gentle or milde Prince neuer swayed Scepter his bounty and clemency towards me I am sure hath beene especiall If any one intend an inquisitiue survey of my actions J intreat him to iudge favourably of me and not rashly to admit of any hard censorious conceit And so I bid the world farewell beseeching you to commend mee in your Prayers to God To thee O Lord do J commend my Soule Then kneeling downe shee incessantly repeated these words CHRIST haue mercy on my soule Lord IESVS receive my soule vntill the Executioner of Caâ—ais at one blow smote off her head with a sword Had any one three yeares before at what time the King so hot in the pursuit of his loue preferred the enioying of this Lady beyond his Friends his Estate his Health Safeguard and his onely Daughter prophetically foretold the vnhappy fate of this Princesse he should haue beene beleeued with CASSANDRA But much more incredible may all wise men thinke the vnheard of crime for which shee was condemned viz. That fearing least her Daughter the Lady ELIZATETH borne while CATHARINE survived should bee accompted illegitimate in hope of other especially masle Issue whereof shee despaired by the King now neere fifty yeares old shee had lasciviously vsed the company of certaine young Courtiers nay not therewith content had committed incest with her owne Brother A strange ingratitude in one raised from so low degree euen to the height of honour I will not derogate from the Authority of publique Records But an Act of Parliament against her shall not worke on my beliefe Surely it carried so little shew of probability with foraine Princes that they alwaies deemed it an act of inhumane cruelty Especially the Estates of Germany Confederates for the defence of the Reformed Religion who having often treated with FOX Bishop of Hereford and other Embassadours had decreed to make HENRY Head of their League and had designed an Embassy by IOHN STVRMIVS who should haue brought with him into England those excellent Divines PHILIP MELANCTHON and MARTIN BVCER with one GEORGE DRACO who should endeavour that and the Reformation of our Church But having heard of the lamentable and vnworthy as they iudged it end of the Queene loathing the King for his inconstancy and cruelty they cast off all farther thought of that matter I will not presume to discusse the truth of their opinion But freely to speake what I my selfe thinke There are two reasons which sway much with mee in the behalfe of the Queene That her Daughter the Lady ELIZABETH was seated in the Royall Throne where shee for so many yeares ruled so happily and triumphantly What shall we thinke but that the Divine Goodnesse was pleased to recompence the iust calamity of the Mother in the glorious prosperity of the Daughter And then consider but the Kings precipitated Nuptialls the very next day after the death of his former Wife yet scarce interred and with whose warme bloud his imbrued hands yet reaked consider this I say and you shall easily be persuaded with mee that the insatiable Prince glutted with the satiety of one and out of the desire of variety seeking to enioy another did more willingly giue eare to the treacherous calumnies of the malicious Popelings than either befitted an vpright Iudge or a louing husband For it seemeth wonderfull strange to mee that either the fault of the one or the pleasing conditions and faire language of the other Wife should so far possesse the King as that hee should procure his daughter ELIZABETH to be by Act of Parliament declared illegitimate the matrimony contracted with both the former Queenes CATHARINE and ANNE to be pronounced invalid and the Crowne to be perpetually established on the posterity of the third wife or if the King had no Issue by her that then it should bee lawfull for him by Will and Testament to transfer it on whome hee pleased Parliaments were not then so rigid but that they could flatter the Prince and condescend to his demands though vniust even in cases which most neerely concerned the publique Weale But servile Feare is oft times more ready then Loue which slowly moves by apprehension of Good as the other is quickely forced by the apprehension of Danger On the twentieth of May the King married IANE SEIMOVR Daughter of Sir IOHN SEIMOVR who on the nine and twentieth of May being Whitsonday clad in royall habiliments was openly shewed as Queene So that the Court of England was now like a Stage whereon are represented the vicissitudes of ever various Fortune For within one and the same moneth it saw Queene ANNE flourishing accused condemned executed and another assumed into her place both of bed and honour The first of May it seemeth shee was informed against the second imprisoned the fifteenth condemned the seventeenth deprived of her Brother and Friends who suffered in her cause and the nineteenth executed On the twentieth the King married IANE SEIMOVR who on the nine and twentieth was publiquely shewed as Queene The death of this innocent Lady God seemed to revenge in the immature end of the Duke of Richmond the Kings only but naturall
Sonne a Prince of excellent forme and endowments whâ— deceased the two and twentieth of Iuly for whom the King a long time after mourned In the meane time on the nineteenth of Iuly IOHN BOVRCHIER Lord Fitz-waren was created Earle of Bathe whose successours in that Honour were his Sonne IOHN who begat IOHN deceased before his Father whose Sonne WILLIAM is now Earle of Bathe At what time also THOMAS CROMWELL a poore Smiths Sonne but of a dexterous wit whose first rising was in the Family of Cardinall WOLSEY in whose service by him faithfully performed he grew famous was made Lord CROMWELL many dignities being also conferred on him to the increase of his estate and honour For first he was Master of the Rolls and principall Secretary of Estate then Sir THOMAS BOLEN Earle of Wiltshire resigning he was made Lord Privy Seale and after that dignified with the vnheard of Title of The Kings Vicar generall in affaires Ecclesiasticall For the authority of the Pope being abrogated many businesses dayly happened which could not bee disparched without the Kings consent who not able to vndergo the burthen alone conferred this authority granted him by Act of Parliament on CROMWELL not for that he thought a Lay man fitter for this dignity than a Clergy man but because hee had determined vnder colour and pretence thereof to put in execution some designes wherein the Clergy in all probability would haue moved very slowly and against the haire Hee was therefore President in the Synod this yeare Certainly a deformed spectacle to see an vnlearned Lay man President over an assembly of sacred Prelates and such as for their learning England had in no preceding ages knowne the like For indeed HENRY is for that much to be commended who would not easily advance any one to place of government in the Church but whome his learning should make worthy By the authority of this Synod a booke was set forth wherein many points of Doctrine being proposed to be by the Curates expounded to their Parishioners mention was made of onely theee Sacraments Baptisme the Eucharist and Penance some holy dayes also were abrogated and other things pertaining to Religion and Ecclesiasticall discipline somewhat changed wherewith many were offended who preferred prescript Errors before the Truth The same time the Parliament assembled the fourth of Ianuary permitted all Monasteries the revenues whereof exceeded not two hundred pounds a yeare to the Kings disposall who causing them to be suppressed to the number of three hundred seventy and six entred vpon their lands amounting to thirty two thousand pounds a yeare and selling their goods even at very low rates most men accompting it sacrilegious to set to sale the goods of the Church raised aboue an hundred thousand pounds These things of themselves were distastfull to the vulgar sort Each one did as it were claime a share in the goods of the Church for many who being neither Monkes nor relied to Religious persons did receive no profit of Ecclesiastieall goods did notwithstanding conceiue that it might herafter come to passe that either their children friends or kinred might obtaine the places yet supplied by others whereas of these goods once confiscated they could not hope that any commodity should redound vnto them But the commiseration of so many people to the number of at least ten thousand who were without any warning giuen thrust out of dores and committed to the mercy of the world was a more forcible cause of generall distaste Which notwithstanding of it selfe sufficient was augmented by the malice of ill disposed and seditious persons who in their assemblies exaggerated these proceedings as the beginnings of greater evills that this was but a triall of their patience as yet the shrubs and vnderwoods were but touched but without speedy remedy the end would bee with the fall of the lofty oakes While these generall discontents thus vented themselves in private CROMWELL in September sent forth certaine Injunctions to the Clergy by vertue whereof each â—urate was to expound to his parishioners the Apostles Creed the Lords Prayer the Aue Maria and the Ten Commandements and earnestly to endeauour that they might learne them in the English Tongue This drave these Male contents into such extremes that the midwifry of any occasion served to produce the prodigious issues of their madnesse For in Lincolneshire the Commons being assembled about the beginning of October concerning Subsidies to be paid to the King as if the spirit of fury had generally animated them they suddenly to the number of twenty thousand tooke armes forcing certaine Lords and Gentlemen to be their leaders and to sweare to such Articles as they should propound such as refused were either imprisoned or put to death as was a certaine Priest Chancellor to the Bishop of Lincoln The King being certified of this Commotion sent against the Rebels with great Forces the Duke of Suffolke and the Earles of Shrewsbury and Kenâ— either to appease or suppresse them The rumonr of an Army marching against them so quailed their courages that they sent to excuse themselves vnto the King pretending That their endeavours tended to no other than the safety of his Maiesly and good of the Realme That â—ee hauing followed the advice of bad Counsellors had lately beyond the example of any of his Ancestors changed many things in the estate of Commonwealth and Church That having dispossessed the religious Inhabitants he had demolished many Monasteries where the poore had daily reliefe and God was wont to be deuoutly worshipped by godly men That the Feasts of Saints instituted many yeares since were profaned by his command That new Tenets which the Catholique Church did abhor were every where preached and obtruded to the people That now in each aged person was to be seene the Embleme of Jgnorance who having one foot in the grave were faine to betake them to their ABC Bookes that they might learne new kinde of Prayers never before vsed by any Christians That many vniust and pernicious Lawes had lately beene enacted and great Subsidies exacted both of the Clergy and Laity even in the time of Peace which were not wont to be demanded but for the maintenance of Wars That the Commons in generall did distaste these things and the rather for that they conceived them to be but trialls of their patience and the beginnings of more insupportable euills Wherefore they humbly beseeched his Maiesty whom they could not safely petition vnarmed that the Authours of these pernicious counsailes might sit no longer at the sterne but that others who should faithfully endeavour the amendment of the aforesaid evills might supply their places and that it might not be any way preiudiciall to them that they had taken Armes which even with the losse of their deerest bloud they were ready to imploy for his Maiesties safety and the defence of the Realme The King had a Spirit befitting his greatnesse and perceiving them to shrinke could not
her Sonne GERTRVDE Widow to the Marquis of Excester Sir ADRIAN FORTESCVE and Sir THOMAS DINGLEY DINGLEY and FORTESCVE were beheaded on the tenth of Iuly and the Countesse being then aged threescore and ten yeares suffered two yeares after In the same Parliament it was inacted That the King might erect new Episcopall Seas in oportune places of the Realme For the performance whereof and of some other things no lesse specious the late dissolution of those Abbeyes whereon the King seised was confirmed and all Religious Houses as yet vnsuppressed were granted to the King for ever Vpon notice whereof many either out of guilt of conscience or desirous to purchase the Kings favour surrendred their charge even before they were required And first of all the Abbot and Convent of Saint Albans the first Abbot of the Realme as Saint ALBAN was the first Martyr which Honour was conferred on this House by Pope ADRIAN the Fourth whose Father had long lived a Monasticall life therein forsake their rich Abbey seated neere the ruines of Verolamium once a great and antient City and leaue it to the mercy of the Courtiers Which dereliction afforded matter of example to many other few enioying that security of conscience that they durst lay claime to their owne Onely three were found whose innocence made them so regardlesse of threats promises or reward that they could never be induced to betray the goods of their Churches to the mercilesse impiety of sacrilegious Harpyes which three were Iâ—OHN BECH Abbot of Colchester in Essex HVGH FARINGDON Abbot of the Abbey of Reding built by HENRY the First for the place of his Sepulture and RICHARD WHITING Abbot of Glastonbury one of the stateliest and antientest Monasteries of Europe being first builded by IOSEPH of Arimathea who buried the body of our Saviour CHRIST and is himselfe there interred as is also beside some Saxon Kings that most renowned King ARTHVR whose glorious Acts had they beene vndertaken by a fit Historian would have ranked him among the antient Worthies without the helpe of a fabulous Romance Against these men therefore other courses not availing that one one was taken of administring the Oath of Supremacy which they refusing are as enemies to the Estate condemned of high Treason BECH was hanged at Colchester and FARINGDON with two Priests named RVG and OGNION at Reding WHITING a man very aged and by reason therof doting scarce perceiving that he had beene condemned returning from the place of Iudgement which was in the Bishops Palace at Wells distant from Glastonbury foure miles with conceit that hee was restored to his Abbey was suddenly rapt vp to the top of the Tor a hill that surveies the country round about and without leave of bidding his Convent farewell which hee earnestly begged was presently hanged the staine of ingratitude sticking fast to the authors of this speedy execution of whom the poore Abbot is reported to have better deserved With WHITING were two Monkes also executed named ROGER IAMES and IOHN THORNE their bodies all drawne and quartered and set vp in divers places of the Countrey The punishment of these few so terrified the rest that without more ado they permitted all to the Kings disposall The number of those that were supprest is not easily cast But the names of the chiefest and whose Abbots had voices among the Peeres in the higher House of Parliament are these S. PETERS in Westminster Saint MARIES in Yorke S. ALBANS  S. Edmundsbury Teuksbury S. BENETS of Hulme Reading Berdney Battaile Shrewsbury Winchcomb Crowland Hide by Winchester Abingdon Cirencester Euesham Waltham Glocester Walmesbury Ramsey Thorney Saint AVGVSTINES in Canterbury Saint IOHNS in Colchester Selbey Coventrey Peterborough Tavestocke The King that hee might some way supply the want of the suffrages of so many learned and wise men in the Parliament House as also that of so great a prey hee might consecrate if not the tenth to HERCVLES at least some Part to God according to his promise erected some new Bishoprickes wherof one was at Westminster a place so neere and contiguous to London that it might rather seeme a part of the Suburbs thereof than a distinct City But a City it is and so ennobled with many stately monuments that for beauty it contendeth with most in Christendome In it are the chiefe Seat of the Prince and Palaces of the Nobility the chiefe seats of Iustice in the Land the most magnificent Church wherein are interred most of our Kings and Nobles whose sumptuous Monuments render it vnparaleld even by the world Another was at Oxford in the Colledge founded by Cardinall WOLSEY The rest at Peterborough Bristoll stoll Chester and Glocester Westminster was by Queene MARY againe reduced to an Abbey and furnished with Monkes of Saint BENETS Order whome Queene ELIZABETH againe expelled and converted the revenues of the Bishopricke to the maintenance of Schollers and other pious vses As for the other Seas they remaine to this day From those antient Cathedrall Churches wherein Monkes were seated nothing was taken away onely Cannons were placed there in steed of Monkes as likewise in the Cathedrall Churches of the new erected Bishoprickes The Churches wherein antiently Cannons and Prebendaries were instituted are Jn England YOrke Wells London Lichfield Lincolne Hereford Sarisbury Chichester Excester  Jn Wales S. DAVIDS Bangor Landaf S. ASAPH The Cathedralls founded with Monkes were CAnterbury Worcester Winchester Rochester Ely Duresme Norwich Carlisle The new Seas where primarily were Abbeyes are OXford Chester Bristoll Peterborough Glocester  So there are six and twenty Bishoprickes within this Realme and in every Cathedrall Archdeacons Prebendaries and other Ministers as also a Deanâ— who governes the rest vnles it be in S. Davids where the Chanter and Landaf where the Archdeacon is Head of the Chapter These things thus ordered the King still jealous least it should be conceived that hee had forsaken the Religion of his Fathers began to thunder out against the maintainers of new Tenets and much against CRANMERS will by Parliament enacted the Law of the Six Articles the summe whereof was 1 That if any one should deny the True and Reall presence of the Body of CHRIST in the Sacrament or should maintaine That the substance of Bread and Wine remained after the words of Consecration pronounced by the Priest he should be burned as an Heretique 2 If any should deny the Sacrament to be sufficiently administred vnder one Species only 3 Or should hold it lawfull for Priests to be married but much more he that having entred into holy Orders should presume to take a Wife 4 Or that Chastity vowed vpon mature deliberation was not to be kept 5 Or that private Masses ought not be celebrated in the Church of England or els where 6 Or that Auricular Confession was not expedient hee should for his errours vndergo losse of life by hanging These Lawes like those of Draco written in bloud were the destruction
passed both Houses when this lusty Widower with as good successe as before marrieth his fifth Wife CATHARINE HOWARD When their nuptialls were celebrated is not knowne but on the eighth of August in Royall habiliments shee shewed her selfe as Queene The fautors of Reformation were much dismaied at the sudden vnqueening of ANNE fearing not without cause least it proving occasion of enmity betweene HENRY and the Princes of Germany he must of necessity rely on them who misliked our divorce from Rome But the King proceeding still in the course he had begun like a torrent bearing all before him not onely caused three Anabaptists to be burned but also many sincere Professors of the Truth for not subscribing to the Six Articles Among whome three Divines were most eminent viz. ROBERT BARNES Doctor of Divinity THOMAS GERARD and WILLIAM IEROM Bachelors who by Parliament vnheard being condemned for Heresie were on the one and thirtieth committed to the â—orments of the mercilesse fire At the same time and place three other Doctors of Divinity viz. POWELL ABIE and FETHRSTON were hanged for denying the Kings Supremacy the sight whereof made a French man cry out in these words Deus bone quomodo hic vivunt gentes Suspenduntur Papistae comburuntur Antipapistae Good God how do the People make a shift to live here where both Papists are hanged and Antipapists burned In August the Prior of Dancaster and six other for defending the Institution of the life Monasticall a crime now become as capitall as the greatest being also condemned by Act of Parliament were hanged The same day with the Lord CROMWELL the Lord HVNGERFORD was also beheaded As their causes were divers so died they alike differently CROMWELLS conscience quietly welcommed Death to the other suffering for that most vnnaturall crime of Sodomy Death presented it selfe with that horror that the apprehension of it made him as impatient as if hee had been seized with a frenzy Anno Dom. 1541. Reg 33. THe late Yorke-Shire Rebellion was not so throughly quenched but it againe began to shew it selfe but by the punishment of the chiefe Incendiaries it was quickely suppressed Fourteene of the Conspirators were put to death LEIGH a Gentlenan THORNTON a Yeoman and TATTERSHALL a Cloatheir at London Sir IOHN NEVILL and ten others at Yorke Which Commotion whether raised in favour of Religion or being suspected that it had any abettors beyond the Seas is thought to have hastened the death of the long sithence condemned Countesse of Sarisbury who on the seven and twentieth of May was beheaded in the Tower The eight and twentieth of Iune the Lord LEONARD GREY Deputy of Irland did on the Tower hill publiquely vndergo the like punishment Hee was Sonne to the Marquis of Dorset neere allied to the King and a brave martiall man having often done his Countrey good service But for that he had suffered his Nephew GERARD FITZ-GERARD brother to THOMAS lately executed proclaimed enemy to the Estate to make an escape and in revenge of some conceived private iniury had invaded the lands of the Kings friends hee was arraigned and condemned ending his life with a resolution befitting a brave Souldier The same day THOMAS FINES Lord Dacres of the South with some other Gentlemen for the death of one BVSBRIG slaine by them in a fray was hanged at Tiburne Many in reguard of his youth and Noble Disposition much lamented his losse and the Kings inexorable rigour Anno Dom. 1542. Reg. 34. BY this time HENRY began to finde the conveniency of his change having married one as fruitfull in evill as his former wives were in good who could not containe her selfe within the sacred limits of a Royall marriage bed but must be supplied with more vigorous and active bodies then was that of the now growing aged and vnweildy King Alas what is this momentary pleasure that for it wee dare hazard a treble life of Fame of Body of Soule Heaven may be mercifull but Fame will censure and the inraged Lyon is implacable such did this Queene finde him who procured not only her to be condemned by Act of Parliament begun the sixteenth of Ianuary and with her the Lady IANE Wife to the Viscount ROCHFORT behold the thrift of the Divine Iustice which made her an Instrument of the punishment of her owne and others wickednesse who by her calumnies had betraied her owne Husband and his Sister the late beheaded Queene ANNE but two others also long since executed FRANCIS DERHAM and THOMAS CVLPEPPER in their double condemnation scarce sufficiently punished DERHAM had beene too familiar with her in her virgin time and having after attained to some publique offices in Irland was by her now Queene sent for and entertained as a houshold servant in which time whether hee revived his former familiarity is not manifest But CVLPEPPER was so plainly convict of many secret meetings with the Queene by the meanes of the Lady ROCHFORT that the adultery was questionles For which the Queene and the Viscontesse ROCHFORT were both beheaded within the Tower on the twelfth of February DIRHAM had beene hanged and CVLPEPPER beheaded at Tiburne the tenth of the preceding December Hitherto our Kings had stiled themselves Lords of Irland a Title with that rebellious Nation not deemed so sacred and dreadfull as to force obedience The Estates therefore of Jrland assembled in Parliament enacted him King of Irland according to which Decree he was on the three and twentieth of Ianuary publiquely proclaimed About the same time ARTHVR Viscont Lisle naturall Sonne of EDWARD the Fourth out of a surfeit of sudden ioy deceased Two of his Servants had beene executed the preceding yeare for having conspired to betray Calais to the French and the Viscont as being conscious committed to the Tower But vpon manifestation of his innocence the King sent vnto him Sir THOMAS WRIOTHSLEY Principall Secretary of Estate by whom he signified the great content he received in the Visconts approved fidelity the effects whereof hee should finde in his present liberty and that degree of favour that a faithfull and beloved Vnkle deserved The Viscont receiving such vnexpected newes imbelished with rich promises and Royall tokens the King having sent him a Diamond of great value of assured favour being not sufficiently capable of so great ioy free from all symptomes of any other disease the ensuing night expired After whose decease Sir IOHN DVDLEY was created Viscont LISLE claiming that honour as hereditary in the right of his mother Lady ELIZABETH Sister and Heire to the Lord EDWARD GREY Viscont LISLE Wife to the late deceased Lord ARTHVR but formerly married to EDMVND DVDLEY one of the Barons of the Exchequer beheaded the first yeare of this Kings raigne Which I the rather remember for that this man afterwards memorable for his power and dignities might have provod more happy in his Issue then his greatnesse had not his owne ambition betraied some of these
faire sprouts to the blast of vnseasonable hopes and nature denying any at least lawfull issue to the rest the name and almost remembrance of this great Family hath ceased Of which hereafter Scotland had beene long peaceable yet had it often administred motives of discontent and jealousy IAMES the Fifth King of Scots Nephew to HENRY by his Sister having long liued a Bachelor HENRY treated with him concerning a marriage with his then only Childe the Lady MARY a Match which probably would have vnited these neighbour Kingdomes But God had reserved this Vnion for a more happy time The antient League betweene France and Scotland had alwaies made the Scots affected to the French and IAMES prefer the alliance with France before that of England where the Dowry was no lesse than the hopes of a Kingdome So he marrieth with MAGDALEN a Daughter of France who not long surviving hee againe matcheth there with MARY of Guise Widow to the Duke of Longueville HENRY had yet a desire to see his Nephew to which end he desired an enterview at Yorke or some other oportune place IAMES would not condiscend to this who could notwithstanding vndertake a long and dangerous voyage into France without invitation These were the first seeds of discord which after bladed to the Scots destruction There having been for two yeares neither certaine peace nor a iust War yet incursions from each side Forces are assigned to the Duke of Norfolke to represse the insolency of the Scots and secure the Marches The Scot vpon newes of our being in Armes sends to expostulate with the Duke of Norfolke concerning the motives of this war and withall dispatcheth the Lord GORDON with some small Forces to defend the Frontiers The Herauld is detained vntill our Army came to Berwick that hee might not give intelligence of our strength And in October the Duke entring Scotland continued there ransacking the Countrey without any opposition of the Enemy vntill the middle of November By which time King IAMES having levied a great Army resolved on a battaile the Nobility persuading the contrary especially vnwilling that hee should any way hazard his Person the losse of his Father in the like manner being yet fresh in memory and Scotland too sensible of the calamities that ensued it The King proving obstinate they detaine him by force desirous rather to hazard his displeasure than his life This tendernesse of him in the language of rage and indignation hee termes cowardise and treachery threatening to set on the Enemy assisted with his Family only The Lord MAXWELL seeking to allay him promised with ten thousand only to invade England and with far lesse then the English Forces to divert the war The King seemes to consent But offended with the rest of the Nobility he gives the Lord OLIVER SAINTCLARE a private Commission not to be opened vntill they were ready to give the onâ—et wherein hee makes him Generall of the Army Having in England discovered five hundred English horse led by Sir THOMAS WHARTON and Sir WILLIAM MVS GRAVE the Lord SAINTCLARE commanded his Commission publiquely to be read the recitall whereof so distasted the Lord MAXWELL and the whole Army that all things were in a confusion and they ready to disband The oportunity of an adioining hill gave vs a full prospect into their Army and invited vs to make vse of our advantages Wee charge them furiously the Scots amazedly fly many are slaine many taken more plunged in the neighbouring fens and taken by Scotish Freebooters sold to vs. Among the Captives were the Earles of Glencarne and Cassells the Lords SAINTCLARE MAXWELL Admirall of Scotland FLEMING SOMERWELL OLIPHANT and GRAY besides two hundred of the better sort and eighthundred common souldiers The consideration of this overthrow occasioned as hee conceived by the froward rashnesse of his owne Subiects and the death of an English Herauld slaine in Scotland so surcharged him with rage and griefe that hee fell sicke of a Fever and died in the three and thirtieth yeare of his age and two and thirtieth of his raigne leaving his Kingdome to the vusally vnhappy governement of a Woman a Childe scarce eight dayes old The chiefe of the captives being conveied to the Tower were two dayes after brought before the King's Counsaile where the Lord Chancellour reprehended their treachery who without due denunciation of war invaded and spoiled the territories of their Allies and committed many outrages which might excuse any severe courses which might in iustice be taken with them Yet his Maiesty out of his naturall Clemency was pleased to deale with them beyond their deserts by freeing them from the irkesomenesse of a strict imprisonment and disposing of them among the Nobles to beby them entertained vntill He should otherwise determine of them By this time King IAMES his death had possessed HENRY with new hopes of vniting Britaine vnder one Head England had a Prince and Scotland a Queene but both so young that many accidents might dissolve a contract before they came to sufficiency Yet this seeming a course intended by the Divine Providence to extirpate all causes of enmity and discord betweene these neighbouring Nations a marriage betweene these young Princes is proposed With what alacrity and applaufe the proposition was on both sides entertained wee may conceive who have had the happinesse to see that effected which they but intended Which being a matter of so sweet a consequence it is to be wondred at that the conspiracy of a few factious spirits should so easily hinder it The hope of it prevailed with the King for the liberty of the Captives conditionally that they should leave hostages for their returne if peace were not shortly concluded which as also the furtherance of this so wished coniunction they faithfully promised Anno Dom. 1543. Reg. 35. AFter their short Captivity the Scottish Lords having beene detained onely twelve dayes at London on New yeares day began their iourney towards Scotland and with them ARCHIBALD DOVGLAS Earle of Angus whom his Sonne in law King IAMES had a little before his death intended to recall Fifteene yeares had hee and his brother GEORGE lived exiles in England HENRY out of his Royall Bounty allowing to the Earle a pension of a thousand markes and to his brother of five hundred The sudaine returne of these captive Lords caused in most as sudaine a ioy Only the Cardinall of Saint ANDREWS who had by forgery made himselfe Regent and his faction could willingly have brooked their absence They came not as freed from a Captivity but as Embassadours for Peace by them ernestly persuaded which by the happy coniunction of these Princes might be concluded to perpetuitie But the Cardinall with his factious Clergy the Queene Dowager and as many as were affected to the Flower de Lys interposed themselves for the good of France Yet notwithstanding the Cardinals fraud being detected hee is not only deposed from his Regency and IAMES HAMILTON
Earle of Arren substituted but also committed to custody whence afterwards making an escape hee was the authour of more garboiles In the meane time the marriage of the young Queene and other conditions proposed to the Estate of Scotland by Sir RALPH SADLER the Kings Embassadour are fully assented vnto and hostages promised for the performance of them But the adverse Faction became so prevalent that the hostages were not delivered at the day neither did the Captive Nobility render themselves in England Only GILBERT KENNEDA Earle of Cassels like another REGVLVS had rather commit himselfe to the mercy of his enemies then prostitute his Honour to the fowle taint of base infidelity His brethren had become pledges for his returne the importunity nay violence of his friends could not deterre him from redeeming them So to London he caâ—â—e where the bountifull King duly honouring him for his constancy in steed of receiving a ranson gave him one dismissing him and his brothers fraught with honour and rewards The Scots falling off from their late agreement the King commandeth stay to bee made of all their ships and confiscateth their goods sends letters full of threats and iust complaints to the Estates at Edinborough blaâ—â—ing them for arrogantly reâ—ecting his Alliance the want whereof must needs be preiudiciall to them neither had they onely reiected it but vnmindfull of former benefitâ— had sowen seeds of new warre and forced him to armes But letters proving in effectuall Scotland is by the frontier Garisons invaded in three severall places forty Scots making resistance are slaine five and fifty Villages burned five hundred and sixtie prisoners taken and a booty brought into England of three thousand five hundred head of cattell eight hundred horses and seven thousand sheepe beside great provision of houshold stuffe But this obstinacy of the Scots proceeded not onely from themselves France and Scotland were ever combined against England so that to invade one was to draw on a war with both Wee had beene often victorious in France wherof many portions anciently belonged to Vs if we should make any claime to all or part of our Inheritance Scotland would serve either to distract our forces or to transfer the seat of the war neâ—rer home The vniting of England and Scotland would by securing vs at home facilitate our enterprises vpon France These were motives sufficient for FRANCIS notwithstanding the long inviolate amity betweene him and HENRY secretly to crosse our designes in Scotland Whereof HENRY could not long be sensible and not revenge Wherefore hee proclaimes open hostility with France as he had already with Scotlaâ—â— and reconciles himselfe with the Emperour before thought irreconciliable in reguard of his Aunts disgrace who professed that all causes of difference betweene them were buried with her yet is it certaine that vnto the Pope he accused HENRY to have dispatched her by poison But now they are become Confederates and an aide of ten thousand English sent to ioyne with Imperialls Landrecy a towne lately taken from the Emperour by the French is the first exercise of our Armes The Emperour also comming in Person it is invested with forty thousand men is furiously battered and the souldiers brought to the distresse of halfe a provant loafe of bread a day and to drinke water FRANCIS being certified of their wants assembles his forces drawesneere the Emperour feeding him with hope of a Battaile entertaining him with skirmishes relieves the besieged and without any more adoe vnder the covert of the night retreats Let vs now conclude the yeare at home And to begin with the Church In February the people by Proclamation is licenced to eate White Meates in Lent but vnder a great penalty enioyned to abstaine from Flesh The third of Iune MOROGH O BRIEN a Nobleman of Irland descended from the Kings of Limrick submitted himselfe to the King and was shortly after made Earle of Twomond which honour his posteritie at this day enioyeth having given ample proofe of their loyalty to succeeding Princes The twelf of Iuly the King married his sixt Wife the Lady CATHARINE PARR Widow to the Lord LATIMER and sister of WILLIAM PARR lately created Earle of Essex in the right of his Wife sole Daughter and heire to the late Earle HENRY BOVRCHIER At what time another of the same name Vnckle to the Queene and the Earle was created Lord Parr and Chamberlaine to the Queene The eight and twentieth of Iuly for the profession of their Faith were ANTHONY PARSONS ROBERT TESTWOOD and HENRY FILMER burned at London MARBECK was also condemned but afterward pardoned Anno Dom. 1544. Reg. 36. THe Lord THOMAS AVDLEY Chancellour of England deceasing the last of Aprill the Lord WRIOTHSLEY chiefe Secretary of Estate is designed his successor And the Earle of Hertford made Lieutenant of the North is sent thither with an Army to represse the incursions of the Scots The Viscount Lisle Admirall of England with a Navy of two hundred saile entred the Forth of Scotland landed ten thousand men forced the rich towne of Leith and then marched toward Edenburg the Metropolis of the Kingdome The Regent was there with the Cardinall at whose dispose hee now wholy was and many other Nobles guarded with six thousand horse and a great number of foote who vpon sight of an invading Army betooke themselves to flight and left the City voide of defendants The Provost craving parley offred to yeild the city vpon condition of departure with Bag and Baggage and saving the towne from fire But the breach of League and insolencies of the inhabitants of Leith and Edenburg had inspired vs with revenge so that no Conditions were to be admitted but what the Victor should impose This drives the Provost to a desperate resolution of defence The English give a furious assault enter at the Canygate put the inhabitants to the sword pillage and fire it The like calamitie felt the Country round about fire and sword cruelly feeding vpon Villages Castles and Noblemens houses Leith had hitherto beene reprived from the like misery but at our returne to the Navy it is made its owne funerall pile and the Peere of the haven vtterly consumed New imployments call home our Admirall HENRY resolves once more to transport his Armes into France there to ioyne with the Earles of Reux and Bares Imperiall Commanders It was agreed betweene the Emperour and the King that the one should invade Champaigne the other Picardy and having vnited their forces which should amount to fourescore thousand foote and eighteene thousand horse to march directly to Paris thereby either to force the French to fight with disadvantage or to suffer the ruine of his Countrey HENRY lands at Calais and finds Picardy vnfurnished of men FRANCIS having withdrawne his forces towards Champaigne to oppose them against the Emperour Hee therefore sends the Duke of Norfolke with the Earles of Reux and Bures to beseege Montrueil The Marshall of Biez
Authoritie His Brother in law the Duke of Suffolke was lately deceased SEIMOVR the yong Princes Vnkle was a man whose Goodnesse was not tempered with Severity and being descended of a Family more ancient then noble as having vntill now never transcended Knighthood would be subiect to contempt They who more neerly participated of the Bloud Royall as they any way excelled in Power or Vertue were the more suspected and hated by him The Family of the HOWARDS was then most flourishing the chiefe whereof was THOMAS Duke of Norfolke a man famous for his exploits in France Scotland and elsewhere long exercised in the schoole of Experience many wayes deriving himselfe from the Crowne popular of great command and revenues But the edge of the old mans disposition made milde and blunted with age administred the lesse cause of suspition Of his eldest Sonne HENRY Earle of Surrey the King was certainly iealous and resolved to cut him off Hee had lately in the wars of France manifested himselfe heire to the glory of his Ancestors was of a ripe wit and endued with great learning so that Elogy afterwards given to his sonne HENRY that hee was the Learnedst among the Nobility and the Noblest among the Learned might have as fitly beene applied to him was very gracious with the people expert in the Art Military and esteemed fit for publique Government These great Vertues were too great Faults and for them hee must suffer Treason is obiected to him and vpon the surmise hee and his Father sent to the Tower On the thirteenth of Ianuary he is arraigned the chiefe point of his accusation whereon they insisted being for bearing certaine Armes which only belonged to the King and consequently aspiring to the Crowne Of other things hee easily acquitted himselfe and as for those Armes he constantly affirmed that they hereditarily pertained vnto him yet notwithstanding hee would not have presumed to have borne them but being warranted by the opinion of the Heralds who onely were to give iudgement in these cases The Iudges not approving of his answer condemne him and so the Flower of the English Nobilitie is on the nineteenth of Ianuary beheaded the King lying in extremity and breathing his last in Bloud The Duke was adiudged to perpetuall imprisonment where he continued vntill he was by Queene MARY set at libertie The King his disease growing on him at last makes his Will wherein by vertue of a Law lately enacted hee ordaines Prince EDWARD his Sucessour in the first place and in the second Prince EDWARD dying issâ—lesse substitutes the Lady MARY begotten of CATHARINE of Arragon and vpon the like defect of issue in MARY in the third place substitutes the Lady ELIZABETH These three raigned successiuely and accomplished the number of fiftie six yeares at the expiration where of Queene ELIZABETH ended her long glorious Raine and left the Diadem to King IAMES in the many reguards of his Learning Religion Goodnesse peaceable and happy Raigne the Mirrour of late ages The next care was of his Executors whom hee also appointed Tutors shall I say or Counsailours to his Sonne and were in number sixteene viz. Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Wriothsley Lord Chancellour William Pawlet Lord Saint-Iohn Iohn Russel Lord Priuy Seale Edward Seimour Earle of Hertford Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle Lord Ad-Admirall Cuthbert Tonstall Bishop of Duresme Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Horse Sir Edward Mountague Chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. Sir William Paget Sir William Harbert Sir Thomas Bromley Sir Anthony Denny Sir Edward North. Sir Edward Wotton Doctor Wotton Deane of Canterbury and Yorke To whom hee added as Assistants especially in matters of great consequence Henry Earle of Arundell William Earle of Essex Sir Thomas Cheny Steward of the Kings Houshold Sir Iohn Gage Comptroller Sir Anthony Wingfield Vice-chamberlaine Sir VVilliam Peter Secretarie Sir Richard Rich. Sir Iohn Baker Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Thomas Seimour Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edmond Pecham He ordained his body should be interred at Windsore in a Monument yet imperfect erected by Cardinall WOLSEY not for himselfe as many falsly surmise but for the King as by the Inscription is manifest which cannot be of later date For therein HENRY is stiled Lord of Irland without any mention of Supreme Head of the Church which two particles it is manifest were changed in the Title after WOLSEY his death In the same his last Will he commanded that the Monuments of HENRY the Sixt and EDWARD the Fourth both interred in Windsore should be made more magnificent and stately and other things of leâ—sâ— moment most of which were neglected This last Will aud Testament hee confirmed subscribed and sealed the last of December and survived a moneth after dying at Westminster the eight and twentieth of Ianuary and that in this manner The King having long languished the Physicians finding apparant symptomes of approaching death wished some of his friends to admonish him of his estate which at last Sir ANTHONY DENNY vndertooke who going directly to the fainting King told in few but those plaine words That the hope of humane helpe was vaine wherefore he beseeched his Maiestie to erect his thoughts to Heaven and bethinking him of his forepassed life through Christ to implore Gods Mercy An advise not very acceptable to him But finding it grounded vpon the iudgement of the Physicians hee submitted himselfe to the hard law of necessitie and reflecting vpon the course of his Life which hee much condemned he professed himselfe confident that through Christ his infinite Goodnesse all his sinnes although they had beene more in number and waight might bee pardoned Being then demanded whether he desired to confer with any Divines With no other saith he but the Archbishop CRANMER and not with him as yet I will first repose my selfe a little and as I then finde my selfe will determine accordingly After the sleepe of an houre or two finding himselfe fainting hee commanded the Archbishop then at Croydon should be sent for in all hast Who vsing all possible speed came not vntill the King was speechlesse As soone as he came the King tooke him by the hand the Archbishop exhorting him to place all his hope in Gods Mercies through Christ and beseeching him that if hee could not in words he would by some signe or other testifie this his Hope Who then wringed the Archbishops hand as hard as he could and shortly after expired having lived fiftie five yeares and seven moneths and thereof raigned thirty seven yeares nine monethes and six dayes Thus ended HENRY the Eighth his Life and Raigne which for the first yeares of his Government was like NERO'S Five yeares Admirable for often Victories and happy Successe in war Glorious for the many Changes vnder it Memorable For the Foundation of the Churches Reformation Laudable to Queenes most vnhappy for the Death of so many for the most great Personages Bloudy and for the frequent Exactions and Subsidies and Sacrilegious Spoile of the Church much
more worthy or be induced to conforme themselves to the present Reformation of the Church according to the prescript of the Lawes in that behalfe lately enacted And yet I would there were not sufficient cause to suspect that this was but a made oportunity the removall of these obstacles making way for the invasion of these widow Seas For as soone as TONSTALL was exautorated that rich Bishopricke of Duresme by Act of Parliament was wracked the chiefe revenues and customes of it being incorporated to the Crowne and and the rest in despight of the Tenants so guelded that at this day it scarce possesleth the third part of it's antient revenues Yet did Queene MARY seriously endeavour the restitution of those religious portions Queene ELIZABETH would hardly consent that it should lose any of it's plumes yet some it did and King IAMES hath lately enacted against the Alienation of Church lands yea even to the Crowne otherwise then vpon reservation of a reasonable Rent and the returne of them to the Church after the expiration of three lives or one and twenty yeares The hungry Courtier finding how good a thing the Church was had now for some yeares become acquainted with it out of a zealous inteÌ„t to Prey neither could the horridnesse of her sacred skeleton as yet so worke on him as to divert his resolutions and compassionately to leave the Church to her religious poverty Beside the infancy of the King in this incertaine ebbe and flow of Religion made her oportune to all kinde of sacriledge So that we are deservedly to thanke the Almighty Guardian of the Church that these Locusts have not quite devoured the maintenance of the Laborers in this English Vineyard For we yet retaine that antient forme of government in the Primitive Church by Bishops who have for the most part wherwith to support their honorable Function as likewise have other those subordinate Prelats Deans Archdeacons Canons of Cathedrall Churches as for our Preachers of the more polite learned sort we thinke him little befriended by Fortune who long liveth in expectation of a competent preferment I would the residue of the Reformed Churches of Christen dome had not beene pared so neere the quicke by precise hands that but some few of them might in this kinde be paralelled with ours And now behold two Brothers acting their severall Tragedies Iealousy Envy and Ambition infernall Furies had armed them against each other and the Pride of the Feminine Sex prepared them for the Lists A lamentable exigent wherein the losse of his Adversary must be the destruction of each wherein the Kingdome must groane at the losse of one both being in the Estate incompatible wherin the King himselfe must as most suspect he did suffer that he might not suffer THOMAS SEIMOVR Lord Admirall had married CATHARINE PARR the Widow of the deceased King What correspondence there might be betweene Her who had beene the Wife of the late Soveraigne and the Duchesse of Somerset whose Husband being Protector of the Realme in point of command little differed from a Soveraigne and had over his Brother the Admirall the advantages of Age Dignity and generall Esteeme if any man cannot without difficulty coniecture I refer him to the first booke of HERODIAN where let him observe the contentions arising betweene CRISPINA the Wife of COMMODVS and LVCILLA who had beene formerly married to L. VERVS the Emperour But in this the divers dispositions of the Brothers set on edge on the emulous humors of their Wives The Duke was milde affable free open and no way malicious the Admirall was naturally turbulent fierce ambitious and conceived himselfe to be of the two the fitter for publique government Presently after the death of HENRY the Admirall thrust on by the flattery of his overweening conceits resolved to ad a lustre to his good parts by marrying the Lady ELIZABETH as yet indeed scarce marriageable But the Protector wisely considering how rash and perilous this proiect was frustrated that designe By his after marriage with CATHARINE a most beautifull and noble Lady and aboundiug with wealth befitting her dignity most men were confident that the gulfe of his vast desires would have beene satisfied but the Law wherby he was condemned though peradventure enacted by strength of Faction will manifest the contrary What notice I have received and what the publique Records testify concerning this being persuaded that they swarve not much from the truth I thinke I may without blame relate The Admirall having now fortified himselfe with money and friends and deeming his Brothers Lenity Sluggishnesse began to behold him with the eye of contempt and to cast about how to dispossesse him of the saddle and being of like degree of consanguinity to the King to enioy the seat himselfe To the furtherance of this proiect it would be conducible secretly to viâ—ify and traduce the Protectors actions to corrupt the Kings Servants especially if in any degree of favor by faire words and large promises by degrees to assure himselfe of the Nobility to secure his Castle of Holt with a Magazine of warlike provision but above all to take care for money the nerves of War and assurance of Peace These things having beene ordered with exact diligence and for supply of coigne the Exchequer mightily pilled he vnmaskes himselfe to some of the Nobility signifying his intent of setling himselfe at the Sterne of forcibly ceasing on the Kings person Nay his madnesse so far transported him that to one of them conditionally that his assistance were not wanting to the advancement of his designes he promised that the King should marry his daughter In the meane time the Queene his Wife being in September delivered of a Daughter died in childe-bed and that not without suspicion of poison For after her death he more importunately sought the Lady ELIZABETH then ever eagerly endeavoring to procure her consent to a clandestine marriage as was that with the deceased Queene and not vntill after the Nuptialls to crave the assent of the King or the Lords of the Counsaile Anno Dom. 1549. Reg. 3. BVt the Admiralls proiects being oportunely discovered and a Parliament lately assembled he is by the authority thereof committed to the Tower and without triall condemned The Parliament being on the fourteenth of March dissolved he is on the sixt day after publiquely beheaded having first vehemently protested that hee never willingly did either actually endeavour or seriously intend any thing against the Person of the King or the Estate Concerning his death the opinions of men were divers their censures divers Among some the Protector heard ill for suffering his Brother to be executed without ordinary course of triall as for these faults proceeding from the violence of youthfull heat they might better have beene pardoned then the King be left destitute of an Vnkles helpe or himselfe of a Brothers Nay they say there wanted not those that before this severe couâ—se taken with the Admirall
The Lord Paget not long before had beene sent to the Emperor to signifie how we were distressed on the one side by the Scots and on the other by the French and miserably rent at home by intestine dissensions that our necessities required speedy succours or would force vs to condescend to an inconvenient Peace with France But perceiving nothing was to bee obtained of him wee stroke hands with the French vpon these conditions That Boloigne and all the Forts in Boloignois should be surrendred to the French together with the Artillery and other military provision That in lieu thereof the King of France should pay vnto EDVVARD foure hundred thousand crownes by equall portions at two payments That the English should restore to the Scots Lauder and Douglas and if the Queene of Scots should desire it should rase their Fortifications in Haymon and at Roxburgh The Emperour was on both sides comprehended in the League and the Queene of Scots by the French The two Kings presented each other with their military Orders and as one writeth it was on both parts agreed on that EDWARD should marry one of the Daughters of France For the ratification of the Articles on the eight of Aprill Hostages were given By Vs The Duke of Suffolke The Earle of Hertford Sonne to the Duke of Somerset The Earle of Arundell The Earle of Derby The Earle of Bath By the French IOHN of Bourbon Duke of Anguien CLAVD of Loraine Marquis of Mayenne FRANCIS Sonne to the Constable MONTMORENCY LEWIS of Tremoville FRANCIS of Vendosme Vidame of Chartres CLAVD d' Annebalt This Peace betweene vs and France was on the third of March solemnely proclaimed in London and on the five and twentieth of Aprill Bouloigne being accordingly surrendred to the French our Hostages were returned On the thirtieth of Iuly died the Lord WRIOTHSLEY Knight of the Garter late Lord Chancellour of England and Earle of Southampton He had about the beginning of this Kings Raigne delivered vp the Seale the Custody wherof was committed to the Lord Rich. But having beene about halfe a yeare past removed as was also the Earle of Arundell but for what cause is vncertaine from the Counsaile Table he at length whether out of griefe or some other cause fell sicke and died He was father to HENRY the second Earle and Grandfather to HENRY the third Earle of Southampton not long since deceased who having tasted of both fortunes did hertofore as generously behave himselfe in adversity as he did since moderately in prosperity whereto by the Clemency of our late Soveraigne he was restored Anno Dom. 1551. Reg. 5. MEntion hath formerly beene made concerning the Sweating Sickenesse a disease to which England hath given a name as well in reguard of it's originall as of the knowne disposition of our bodies to admit of this virulent contagion England had beene formerly afflicted with it but never so mortally as this present yeare Shrewsbury was now the first place acquainted with this Pestilence there it began in Aprill and thence diffusing it selfe over the most part of the Kingdome at length it vanished away in the North about the beginning of October The fury of it was such as if it would never end but by it's proper cruelty when it should not have left subiects wheron to feed The dead whome it swept away were numberlesse In London only eight hundred was scarce a seven nights stint It made it's first entry into this Island in the Reigne of HENRY the Seventh Anno 1486. and from hence it tooke it's progresse to other Nations The Infected flowed away and within the space of twenty foure houres when this malignant disease was most mercifull in it's execution peradventure within twelve did sweat out their soules Women children and old men it for the most part overpassed and wreaked it selfe on the robustious youth and well compact middle age who if in the beginning of their sickenes did but slumber perished instantly If it seized on any that were full gorged the recovery was in a manner desperate Nay and of others whatsoever they were scarce one of a hundred escaped vntill time had found out a remedy the manner wherof was thus If any be taken in the day time hee must without shifting of his apparell betake himselfe to bed If by night and in bed let him not stir thence vntill twenty foure howers be run In the meane let the coverture be such that it provoke not sweat but that it may gently distill of it selfe if it be possible for him so long to forbeare let him not eat nor drinke more then may moderately serve to extinguish thirst But above all let him so patiently endure heat that hee vncover not any part of his body no not so much as a hand or a foot The strangenesse of this disease I do not so much admire for that PLINY in his twenty sixt Booke the first Chapter witnesseth and daily experience teacheth vs that every age produceth new and Epidemicall diseases But that which surpasseth the search of humane reason is this that this Pestilence afflicted the English in what part of the world soever without touching the Natives but in England alone This dire contagion promiscuously impoverisht the Land of people of all sorts among those of especiall note were HENRY Duke of Suffolke and his Brother who were the Sonnes of CHARLES BRANDON and the Kings Couzins germane young Noblemen of great and lively hopes by the death of HENRY the Duchy was for some few howers devolved to the younger Brother who had the vnhappy honour but to be seized of the Title and dy The Lord Gray Marquis of Dorset having married FRANCIS the eldest Daughter of CHARLES BRANDON in the right of his Wife made claime to the Duchy and was on the eleventh of October invested in it At what time also IOHN DVDLEY Earle of Warwicke was created Duke of Northumberland WILLIAM POWLET Earle of Wiltshire Marquis of Winchester and Sir WILLIAM HERBERT Lord Cardif Master of the Horse Earle of Pembroke The masculine Line of DVDLEY and GRAY hath beene long since extinct Of the Family of the POWLETS we have spoken already the Lord HERBERT Brother in law to Queene CATHARINE PARR derived himselfe from WILLIAM HERBERT in the time of EDWARD the Fourth Earle of Pembroke and was succeeded in the Earledome by his Sonne HENRY Father to WILLIAM the moderne Earle whose mature wisedome and gravity even in his greener yeares long since ranked him in the sage Senate of the Privy Counsaile to two successive Kings and to PHILIP by King IAMES created Earle of Montgomery Then also were knighted Sir IOHN CHEEKE the King's Schoolemaster Sir HENRY DVDLEY Sir HENRY NEVILL and whome I cannot mention but with due honor Sir WILLIAM CECILL CECILL I say who then Secretary of Estate was afterward by all Europe held in admiration for his wisedome whome Queene ELIZABETH made Lord Treasurer of England and Baron of Burleigh and was whilest he
lived a second prop of this Estate who on the fourth of August 1598. piously ended his long but for the publique weales sake ever restlesse life leaving two Sonnes THOMAS by King IAMES created Earle of Excester and ROBERT out of the same Fountaine of Royall Goodnesse Earle of Sarisbury and Lord Treasurer of England And now the ill cemented affections of the Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland dissolved into open enmity In the prosecution wherof Somerset otherwise of a most milde disposition but Patience abused oft runneth into the extreme of Fury provoked by continuall iniuries resolved as some write to murther Northumberland To this end but vnder colour of a visite privily armed and well attended by Seconds who awaited him in an vtter chamber he comes to his Adversary at that time by reason of some indisposition of body keeping his Chamber hath accesse vnto him naked as hee was in his bed but is so courteously entertained and with such smooth language that the Duke of Somerset good man repenting himselfe of his bloudy resolutions would not execute what he purposely came for At his departure one of his conspirators is reported to have asked him Whether he had done the feat and vpon his denial to have added Then you are vndone This his intent being by his owne Party bewraied a second accusation is ingrossed against him The matter is referred to the Counsaile Table and he on the sixteenth of October againe committed to the Tower together with the Duchesse his Wife the Lord Gray of Wilton Sir RALPH VANE Sir THOMAS PALMER Sir MILES PARTRIDGE Sir MICHAEL STANHOP Sir THOMAS ARVNDELL and many other of his Friends On the first of December the Marquis of Winchester being for that day high Steward he is arraigned for Treason against the Estate which hee had not onely ill but treacherously managed and for conspiracy against the Duke of Northumberland Of Treason he cleered himselfe and his Peeres acquitted him For the Conspiracy he was by his owne confession condemned and that by vertue of a Law enacted 3. HENR 7. which made the very intent nay imagination of killing a Privy Counsailor punishable by death But howsoever the Law enacted as some conceive vpon somewhat differing intents and meaning were extended to the highest of it's rigour yet can I not but wonder how a man so great in the reguards of his Reigning Nephew of his Honors of the popular Favour should be so destitute of Learned Advice as not to exempt himselfe from a felonious death by his Clergy But such were the times such his misfortunes in the minority of his Prince from whose revengefull hand how could the adverse Faction presume themselves secure in the future Neither could they choose but be somewhat terrified with that ecchoing testimony of the peoples ioy who seeing that fatall Virge the Axe vsually marshalling Traitors to the Barre laied aside vpon his freedome from the guilt of Treason from Westminster Hall certified that part of the City by their loud festivall acclamations of the gladsome tidings of their Favorite's conceived Absolution And these peradventure might be causes that his execution was deferred Hitherto had the Estate patiently indured the obstinate opposition of some Bishops in point of Reformation who for their non-conformity are at length deprived and others substituted in their Bishopricks Of some of them we have occasionally already spoken whose censures notwithstanding fall in with this yeare GARDINER Bishop of Winchester was deprived the fourteenth of February DAY of Chichester and HEATH of Worcester on the tenth of October TONSTALL of Duresme on the twentieth of December committed to the Tower and BONER of London on the first of October 1549. had beene already exautorated All of them for feare of practising against the Estate were deteined in Prison And on the last of October FRANCIS INGLEFIELD WALGRAVE and ROCHESTER Servants to the Lady MARY as also FRANCIS MALLET Doctor of Divinity her Chaplaine were committed I cannot speake any thing certaine of the causes of any of their imprisonments excepting Doctor MALLET'S only At the Emperours request he was permitted to celebrate Masse but with this limitation In the presence of the Lady MARY not otherwise for adventuring to celebrate in her absence it was thought fit he should be punished for his presumptuous transgression With the Lady her selfe all meanes had beene vsed to conforme her to the Times the King himselfe had taken much paines with her by often suasory Letters the Counsaile had done the like and personally to satisfie her with reason divers learned men had beene imploied But their labours were vaine for hatred to our Religion for her Mothers for her owne sake and some politique respects for by the Decrees of our Religion she was made illegitimate and consequently cut off from the Succession to the Crowne if her brother should dy issulesse confirmed her in that Superstition which she had sucked from her Mother On the fourteenth of Aprill one GEORGE PARIS a Gormane was at London burned for Arrianisme On the five and twentieth of May Croydon and seven or eight other Villages in Surrey were terribly shaken with an Earthquake Toward the beginning of November MARY Dowager of Scotland arriving at Portsmouth sent to the King and craved leave to passe through England into Scotland Which being granted and she invited to London entred the City on the second of November where her entertainment was generall and Royall On the sixt of November she departed for Scotland and had the charges of her whole Retinue borne vntill she arrived there in safety About the same time also the Earle of Arundell and the Lord Paget were but for what causes is vncertaine committed to the Tower In the ensuing Aprill the Garter was taken from the Lord Paget and conferred on the Earle of Warwick the Duke of Northumberlands eldest Sonne As for the Earle oâ— Arundell he was on the third of December in the next yeare set at liberty On the one and twentieth of December was the Lord Rich removed from the Chancellorship and THOMAS GOODRICH Bishop of Ely made Lord Chancellor Anno Dom. 1552. Reg. 6. THe Duke of Somerset had now continued two moneths in prison since his condemnation At length the violence of his enemies notwithstanding the Kings desire to save his Vnkle vnder whose tuitioâ— he had passed his childehood drew him to the Scaffold Being on the twenty foure of Ianuary brought to the place of execution he in this manner bespake the Assembly Being by the Law condemned I here willingly submit my selfe by exemplary punishment to satisfie it's Rigour That God hath beene pleased to grant me so long a preparative to my end I humbly thanke his eternall Goodnesse But in that he hath beene farther pleased to inspire me with the knowledge of his Truth and to make me an instrument for the propagation of the same J can never sufficiently magnify his Mercies Jn this do J
France the second Daughter of HENRY the Seventh who her two Brothers then alive had beene married to HENRY GRAY Marquis of Dorset The two Brothers as before dying of the late mortality the Marquis is in the right of his Wife created Duke of Suffolke and this was another stop to his Ambition For the removall whereof he intends this course He imparts his designes to the Duke of Suffolke and desires that a Match may be concluded betweene the Lord GVILFORD DVDLEY his fourth Sonne and Lady IANE GREY the Duke of Suffolke's eldest Daughter And because if onely right of inheritance should be pretended the Duchesse of Suffolke were in reason to be preferred before her Daughter he vndertakes to persuade the King not only to disherit his Sisters by Will and Testament but also by the same to declare the Lady IANE his next and immediate Successor Suffolke biting at this bait they complot by drawing the chiefest of the Nobility to contract Affinity either with the one or tother to procure the generall assent of them all So on the same day that Lady IANE vnder anvnhappy Planet was married to Lord GVILFORD the Duke of Suffolk's two youngest Daughters are married CATHARINE to Lord HENRY eldest sonne to the Earle of Pembrooke and crouch backed MARY to MARTIN KEYES Groome Porter Northumberlands eldest Daughter also named CATHARINE was married to the Lord HASTINGS eldest sonne to the Earle of Huntington These marriages were in Iune solemnized at London the King at that time extremely languishing Hauing thus brought these things to a desired passe nothing now remained but to act his part with the weake King To Him he inculcates In what danger the estate of the Church would be if He dying provision were not first made of a pious Successour and such a one as should maintaine the now established Religion How the Lady MARY stood affected was well knowne Of the Lady ELIZABETH there might be peraduenture better hopes But their causes were so strongly connexed that either both must be excluded or the Lady MARY be admitted That it was the part of a religious and good Prince to set apart all respects of Bloud where God's Glory and the Subiects weale might be indangered They that should do otherwise were after this life which is short to exspect revenge at God's dreadfull Tribunall where they are to vndergo the tryall either of eternall life or eternall death That the Duke of Suffolke had three Daughters neerest to him in degrees of Bloud they were such as their Vertues and Birth did commend and from whome the violation of Religion or the danger of a forraine yoke by any match was not to be feared for asnuch as their education had beene Religious they had as it were with their milke suckt in the spirituall food of true Christian Doctrine and were also matched to Husbands as zealous of the Truth as themselves He could wish and would advise that these might be successively called to the Crowne but with this caution That they should maintaine the now established Religion And although Lady IANE the eldest of the three were married to his Sonne he would be content that they should be bound by oath to performe whatsoever his Maiesty should decree for he had not so much reguard to his owne as the generall good These reasons so prevailed with the young King that he made his Will and therin as much as in him lay excluded both his Sisters from the Succession to the Crowne and all others whosoever beside the Duke of Suffolke's Daughters This Will was read in presence of the Counsaile and the chiefe Iudges of the Realme and by each of them confirmed with a strict command that no man should publish the contents of it least it might prove an occasion of sedition and civill tumults The Archbishop CRANMER did for a while refuse to subscribe to it not deeming it any way agreeable to equity that the right of lawfull Succession should vpon any pretences be violated But the King vrging him and making Religion a motive which was otherwise likely to suffer after a long deceptation he was at length drawne to assent But these delaies of his were so little reguarded by Queene MARY that vnder her scarce any man was sooner marked out for destruction Some few daies after these passages on the fixt of Iuly in the sixteenth yeare of his age King EDWARD at Greenwich surrendred his soule to God having vnder his Tutors reigned six yeares five moneths and nineteene daies and even in that tender age given great proofe of his vertue a Prince of great devotion constancy of minde love of the Truth and incredibly studious vertues which with Royall Greatnesse seldome concur Some three howers before his death not thinking any one had beene present to over-heare him he thus commended himselfe to God O Lord God free me Ibeseech thee out of this miserable and calamitous life and receive me among the number of thine Elect if so be it be thy pleasure although not mine but thy will he done To thee O Lord do J commend my Spirit Thou knowest O Lord how happy J shall be may I live with thee in Heaven yet would I might live and be well for thine Elects sake that I might faithfully serve thee O Lord God blesse thy People and save thine Jnheritance O Lord God save thy people of England defend this Kingdome frome Popery and preserve thy true Religion in it that Iand my People may blesse thy most Holy Name for thy Sonne IESVS CHRIST Then opening his eyes which he had hitherto closed and seeing Doctor OWEN the Physition from whose report we have this Prayer sitting by Are you there quoth he J had not thought you had been so neere who answered I heard you speake but could not collect your words Jndeed replied the King J was making my prayer to God A little after he suddenly cried out I faint Lord have mercy vpon me and receive my Soule which words he had scarce spoken ere hee departed Much might be spoken in praise of this Prince but reguardfull of my intended brevity I will only give you a taste of him out of CARDAN who about a yeare before travailing through England toward Scotland was admitted to his presence The conference betweene them he thus describeth Aderant illi speaking of the King Gratiae Linguas enim multas callebat puer c. He was stored with Graces for being yet a Childe he spake many Languages his native English Latine French and as I heare was also skilled in the Greeke Italian Spanish and peradventure some others He wanted neither the rudiments of Logicke the principles of Philosophy nor Musicke He was full of Humanity the relish of Morality of Gravity befitting Royalty of hopes great as himselfe A Childe of so great wit and such expectation could not be borne without a kinde of miracle in nature I write not this Rhetorically with the excesse of an Hyperbole for to
speake all the truth were to spake far more Being yet but in his fifteenth yeare he spake Latine as readily and politely as I could What saith he is the subiect of your Bookes De Rerum Varietate I had dedicated them to his Maiesty CARD In the first Chapter I shew the long hidden and vainly sought after causes of Comets KING And what is the cause CARD The concourse and meeting of the lights of the erratique Stars KING But being the Planets are moved with severall motions how comes it to passe that the Comet doth not either presently dissolve and scatter or move with their motion CARD It moves indeed but with a far swifter motion then the Planets by reason of the diversity of the aspect as we see in Chrystall and the Sunne when a Rainebow rebound vpon a wall for a little change makes a great difference of the place KING But how can that be done without a subiect for the wall is the subiect to the Rainbow CARD As in the Galaxia or Milky way and in the reflection of lights when many candles lighted are set neere one another they do produce a certaine lucid and bright meane You may know the Lion by his paw as they say For his ingenuous nature and sweet conditions he was great in the expectation of all either good or learned men He began to favour learning before he could know it and knew it before he knew what vse to make of it O how true is that saying Jmmodicis brevis est etas rara senectus Immoderate growths short liv'd are aged seld He could give you only a taste of his Vertue not an example When occasion required a Maiestique gravity you should see him act an old man in his affability and mildnesse he shewed his age He plaied on the Lute accustomed himselfe to publique affaires was liberally disposed c. So much CARDAN His Corps was on the ninth of August with no very great pompe interred at Westminister neere to his Grandfather HENRY the Seventh And here had I with this King's death concluded this second Part had not the consideration of a memorable enterprise of this Kings occurred To SEBASTIAN CABOTA a Portugall for his admirable skill in Cosmography and the art of Navigation hee allowed an annuity of an hundred sixty six pounds EDWARD by this CABOTA'S persuasion on the twelfth of May set forth three ships vnder Sir HVGH WILLOVGHBEY for the discovery of vnknowne Regions in the North parts of the world The maine hope of this voiage was that way to open a shorter passage to those vast Countries of the East Catay and China Neere vpon the coast of Norway these Ships were so severed by tempest that they never met againe One of these great Ships terâ—ified with the greatnes of irresistable dangers quickly returned home Sir HVGH WILLOVGHBY arrived at last at a Countrey vnder the Latitude of seventy foure degrees not inhabited hitherto to vs vnknowne and was forced to winter there where he all his company were frozen to death The Ship was afterward found by some the like English Adventures and in his Deske a writing relating the adventures of each day his Will also by which it appeared that he lived vntill Ianuary RICHARD CHANCELLER with the third Ship making a more prosperous voyage after many dangers and incerâ—ainties arrived at last among the Russes and Muscovites To these parts some few yeares after he made a second voyage but in his returne suffered wracke on the Scottish coast where seeking to save the Muscovite Embassador he himselfe was drowned Howsoever he were vnfortunate he opened a rich veine of traffique to succeeding times wherby we have an exact discovery of that Countrey and of the Manners of those Heathen Christians FINIS ANNALES OF ENGLAND QVEENE MARY The Third Booke LONDON Printed by Adam Islip and William Stansby 1630. Fortissimi quique interfecti sunt 〈◊〉 ANNALES OF ENGLAND The third Booke Queene MARY Anno Dom. 1553. Reg. 1. WHen the Lady MARY long since acquainted with Northumberland's secret practices was also certified of her Brother's decease not thinking it safe to abide neere London where her Enemies were in their full strength pretending a feare of the Plague by reason of the suspitious death of one of her houshold she sudainly departed from Saint Edmundsbury and came in one day to Framingham Castle in Suffolke distant from London fourescore miles and seated neere the Sea from whence if Fortune frowned on her shee might make an easie escape into France Here she tooke vpon her the Title of Queene and by letters to her Friends and the Nobles wished their speedy repaire vnto Her In the meane time Northumberland having for two dayes together consulted with his friends concerning the managing of this great businesse the King's death being not yet published sent command to the Lord Maior of London to repaire forthwith to Greenwich with six Aldermen and twelve other Citizens of chiefest account To them he declares the King's departure and the seating of Lady IANE in the Throne of Soveraignety shewing withall the King's Testament vnder Seale which did import no lesse then the setling the Succession on her and that Family He causeth them either by terrour or promises to sweare Allegiance to Lady IANE with command and that vnder a great penalty that they should not as yet divulge these secret passages What a furtherance it might be to his affaires if he could assure himselfe of this Citie hee was too wife to be ignorant of and as for suppressing the report of the King's death hee thought it might prove a meanes to facilitate the surprisall of the Lady MARY as yet probably secure for lacke of notice of her Brother's decease But vnderstanding that shee had made an escape into Suffolke Lady IANE was by almost all the Peeres of the Realme pompously conducted to the Tower and with great solemnity publiquely proclaimed Queene Shee was of age about sixteene of feature not admirable but handsome incredibly learned very quick-witted and wise both beyond her Sexe and above her Age wonderfully devoted to purity of Doctrine and so far from desire of this advancement that shee began not to act her part of Royalty without teares manifesting it to the world that she was sorced by her parents and friends ambition to this high but dangerous ascent At her going through the Citie toward the Tower the concourse of the People was great their acclamations few as if the strangenesse of some new spectacle had drawne them together rather then any intent of gratulation Which Queene MARYES for so we must henceforth call her friends hitherto distrustfull more of successe then the cause accepted of as an happy omen and were incouraged to assist her as occasion should invite them But the presence of Northumberland a man quicke watchfull and very politique was yet a remora to their proceedings Him they must send farther of or be content to siâ— still The
their armes and peaceably to repaire to their homes These letters tooke vp the matter and set the Duke at liberty which notwithstanding lasted not long For the next morning as he was readie to take horse the Earle of Arundell intercepted him and with him apprehended the Earle of Huntingdon the Earle of Warwicke Northumberland's eldest sonne and two others younger Lord AMBROSE and Lord HENRY DVDLEY Sir ANDREW DVDLEY the Duke's brother Sir THOMAS PALMER Sir IOHN GATES his brother HENRY GATES and Doctour EDWIN SANDS who on the five and twentieth of Iuly were brought to London and presently committed to the Tower The Earle of Huntingdon was not long after set at liberty but his sonne was presently Sir IOHN GATES whom Northumberland accused to have beene the contriver of all this mischiefe and Sir THOMAS PALMER were after executed The Earle of Warwicke died in prison The Lords AMBROSE and HENRY DVDLEY were pardoned HENRY was afterward slaine with a shot at the siege of S. Quintin but AMBROSE finding fortune more propitious out-lived MARY and by Queene ELIZABETH created Earle of Warwicke long flourished in the happinesse of her favour Sir ANDREW DVDLEY after his condemnation was also pardoned Doctour SANDS being then ce-chancellour of the Vniversitie of Cambridge had by Northumberland's command in the Pulpit publiquely impugned Queene MARYES cause and defended that of Ladie IANE but with that wisdome and moderation although vpon the short warning of some few howers that hee abundantly satisfied the Duke and yet did not so deeply incurre the displeasure of the adverse part but that his friends prevailed with the Queene for his pardon So that after a yeares imprisonment he was set at libertie and presently fled over into Germany after the death of Queene MARY returning from his voluntary exile hee was consecrated Bishop of Worcester from which Sea he was translated to London and thence againe to the Archbishoprick of Yorke a man for his learning vertue wisdome and extract very famous but most especially happy in his Issue whereof many were admirable for their indowments both internall and externall and of whom wee have in our age seene three honoured with Knighthood On the six and twentieth of Iuly the Marquis of Northampton afterward condemned and pardoned Doctour RIDLEY Bishop of London who two yeares after was burned at Oxford and beside many others Lord ROBERT DVDLEY that great Earle of Leicester vnder Queene ELIZABETH were brought to the Tower On the seven and twentieth the Duke of Suffolke to whom the Queene with admirable clemency within foure dayes restored his libertie Sir IOHN CHEEKE King EDWARD'S Schoolemaster Sir ROGER CHOLMELEY chiefe Iustice of the King's Bench and Sir EDMOND MOVNTAGVE chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas were committed to the same place who were all on the third of September set at libertie On the thirtieth of Iuly the Ladie ELIZABETH accompanied by a great traine of Nobles Knights Gentlemen and Ladies to the number of five hundred some say a thousand set forward from the Strand through London and so to Wansted towards the Queene to congratulate her happy successe in vindicating her right to the Crowne Who on the third of August having dismissed her Army which had not yet exceeded the number of 13000. attended by all the Nobilitie made a triumphant entrance through London to the Tower where the Duke of Norfolke EDWARD COVRTNEY sonne to the Marquis of Excester beheaded in the yeare 1538. GARDINER late Bishop of Winchester and ANNE Duchesse of Somerset presented themselves on their knees and GARDINER in the name of them all spake a congratulatory Oration which ended the Queene courteously raised them and kissing each of them said These are all my owne prisoners and gave order for their present discharge EDWARD COVRTNEY she restored to his Fathers honours making him Marquis of Excester As for GARDINER shee not only reseated him in the Bishopricke of Winchester but also on the threâ— and twentieth of August made him Lord Chancellour of England notwithstanding that he had not only subscribed to the Divorce from CATHARINE the Queenes Mother but had published bookes wherein hee had defended King HENRY'S proceedings On the fift of August BONER and TONSTALL who had beene formerly deprived of their Bishoprickes the one of London the other of Duresme and shortly after DAY of Chichester and HEATH of Worcester were inlarged and restored to their Bishopricks the present Incumbents being without due processe of Law eiected On the tenth of August were celebrated the Exequies of King EDWARD DAY Bishop of Chichester preaching executing in English and administring the Sacrament according to the manner and forme received in the Raigne of EDWARD For as yet nothing had beene determined concerning any change in point of Religion So that when BOWRNE a Chanoin of Pauls afterward Bishop of Bath Wells preaching at the Crosse did inveigh against the Reformation in King EDWARD'S time and did in vpbrading manner argue the iniustice of those times which condemned BONER to perpetuall imprisonment for matter delivered by him in that place that time foure yeare who was now by a more iust clemency restored to his libertie and dignitie the people inured to the Protestant Religion and could abstaine from stoning him and one of them ayming a poniard at him missed him very narrowly the affections of the Assembly may by this be conceived that during the Raigne of Queene MARY the Authour of this bold attempt notwithstanding the diligence of ernest inquisitors could neuer be discovered The vproare increasing and divers pressing toward the Pulpit BOVRNE protected by two Protestant Preachers BRADFORD and ROGERS who were greatly reverenced by the people and afterward burned for their Religion was with great difficultie conveied to the Schoole at Pauls And now at length on the eighteenth of August the Duke of Norfolke sitting as high Steward of England were the Duke of Northumberland his sonne the Earle of Warwicke and the Marquis of Northampton arraigned at Westminster where the Duke of Northumberland pleading that he had done nothing but by authority of the Counsaile his plea being not admitted for sufficient he was condemned of high Treason The sentence being pronounced he craved the favour of such a death as was vsually executed on Noblemen and not the other He beseeched also that a favourable reguard might be had of his children in respect of their age Thirdly that hee might be permitted to confer with some learned Divine for the setling of his conscience And lastly that her Maiesty would be pleased to send vnto him foure of her Counsaile for the discovery of some things which might concerne the Estate The Marquis of Northampton pleaded to his inditement that after the beginning of these tumults hee had forborne the execution of any publique office and that all that while intent to hunting and other sports he did not partake in the conspiracie But it being manifest that he was party with the Duke of
diversly some censuring the Queenes actions others complaining of the change of Religion contrary to her promise made to the Suffolke men some lamented the case of Lady IANE who had beene forcibly deposed and cruelly condemned to an ill-deserved death Some were swaied by pittie some by the reguard of Religion but most by the feare of a Spanish servitude and others were by their owne hopes and the desire of change animated to a rebellion A Chieftaine only was wanting which defect was quickly supplied by Sir THOMAS WYATA Knight of Kent Who having communicated the matter with the Duke of Suffolke Sir PETER CAROW of Devonshire and some others concluded that it would not be expedient to attempt any thing vntill the arrivall of PHILIP that so they might not seeme to have taken Armes to any other end then to secure their Countrey from the vsurpation of a foraine Prince So reserving themselves for oportunity they disperse themselves into severall places WYAT into Kent a countrey adioyning to London and disioyned from Calais by a little fret of Sea Sir PETER CAROW into Devonshire a part of England in the West opposite to the maine of France and the Duke of Suffolke withdrew himselfe to his place in Warwick shire situated in the very heart of the Realme In these severall places they secreâ—ly furnish themselves with armes money and all sorts of munition and seeke to draw others to partake in the Conspiracie Sir PETER CAROW whether thrust on by his fate or thinking delaywould prove dangerous began secretly to levie some forces in Cornwall but the maâ—ter being sooner detected then was hoped he quickly oppressed he presently tooke ship fled into France where he lurked some time vntill at length being seemingly reconciled to the King he was taken at Brussells and brought captive into England By what meanes hee afterward made an escape I know not But he flourished many yeares vnder Queene ELIZABETH and died at Rosse in Leinster a Province of Irland in the yeare 1577. as appeareth by his monument in the Cothedrall Church at Excester erected at the costs of his nephew PETER who was brother to GEORGE whom King IAMES for his many vertues not long since created a Baron With Sir PETER at the same time Sir IOHN CHEEKE who had beene King EDWARD'S Tutour was also taken who came from Strasburg towards Brussells and that not without publique licence vpon no other businesse but to visit as saith FOX the Queenes Agents there or rather according to THVANVS to marry a wife Whatsoever were the cause of his iourney certaine it is that hee was intercepted on the way from Antwerp to Brussells vnhorsed by some of the Queenes servants and tied with cords to a cart at last muffled carried on shipboard and conveied to the Tower at London not knowing all the way for what part of the world hee was bound There having alwaies in conscience abhorred the errours of Popery he was forced to abiure his Religion for which hee afterward became so repentant that out of extremitie of griefe he languished and shortly died These passages I doe the more exactly describe because there want not some who relate that both Sir PETER CAROW and Sir IOHN CHEEKE for their Religion suffered at a stake on the thirteenth of Iune this present yeare But to returne to WIAT he perceiving that his intents were divulged and that hee had nothing to trust to no refuge but valour incited the people in Kent to a Rebellion and as Rebels never want common pretexts to colour their actions that Because the Queene relying too much vpon the advise of bad Counsailers had lately done and did daily indevour many things preiudiciall to the Estate of the Realme That therefore to prevent farther inconveniences those Counsailers must be removed and others substituted who should so manage the Estate as should answere the trust reposed in such men whose loyalty should render them more carefull of the publique then their private profit But above all they must endevour that some meanes must be vsed to impeach this determined Match by which hee plainly foresaw this free Realme would be oppressed with the miseâ—ies of a most lamentable servitude and a floud-gate would be opened to let in a perpetuall current of Superstition That the effects of their Armes would prove very profitable to the Queene for whose happinesse he should ever pray and to the generall good of the Kingdome But howsoever heefed the giddie multitude with specious words the Duke of Suffolke at that time running the same courses in Warwick-shire it was palpable that their drift was to depose MARY and once more to inthrone captive IANE By the five and twentieth of Ianuary fame had filled London with the newes of this Kentish Rebellion For the repression whereof the Duke of Norfolke was the same day dispatched with some small forces consisting for the most part of the Queenes Guard which were a little increased by the accession of five hundred Londoners who were the next day sent downe by water to Gravesend where the Duke expected them With these hee resolves to encounter WIAT whom his madnesse had not yet carried beyond Rochester which notwithstanding its weaknesse being no way fortified he intended to make good against the Duke and had incamped within the ruines of the Castle Rochester is a Citie seated vpon the River Medway where falling into the Thames it is most violent ebbing and flowing like a straight and is made passable by an arched stone bridge of excellent artifice This bridge had the Rebels seized and planted on it some brasse double Canons that they might debar the Duke whom they vnderstood by their Scouts to bee vpon march of passage But he nothing daunted with their proceedings sent a Herald to proclaime pardon to such as forsaking WIAT should returne to their obedience resolving withall to force the bridge and gaine entrance into the Citie The Herald executed his office but with so submisse a voice that hee was heard by few for indeed a Pistoll held at his brest so terrified him that hee was content for his owne safetie to yeild to the Rebels so commanding and was returned with this answer that they knew not themselves to be so far delinquent as that they should need any such pardon Only Sir GEORGE HARPER faining a revolt made over toward the Duke of Norfolke but indeed with intent to persuade ALEXANDER BRET Captaine of those five hundred Londoners to partake in this action of common disloyalty Which he performed so effectually that BRET whose Company made the Vauntguard before hee came so neere the bridge as to give an assault sudainly drawing his sword turned about to his souldiers and thus bespake them Valiant Countrymen wee now ingage our selves in a cause which before wee farther proceed would require mature deliberation We march but against whom Are they not our friends our fellow-natives with whom we seeke to make a deeper mixture of our blouds Have
matters Ecclesiasticall this last she could not for a while obtaine the other was assented vnto vpon conditions That PHILIP should not advance any to any publique Office or Dignity in England but such as were Natives of England and the Queenes Subiects He should admit of a set number of English in houshold whome he should vse respectively and not suffer them to be inâ—â—red by Forainers He should not transport the Queene out of England but at her intreaty nor any of the Jssue begotten by her who should have their education in the Realme and should not be suffered but vpon necessity or some good reasons to go out of the Realme nor then neither but with the consent of the English The Queene deceasing without Children PHILIP should not make any claime to the Kingdome but should leave it freely to him to whome of right it should belong Hee should not change any thing in the Lawes either publique or private the Jmmunities and Customes of the Realme but should be bound to confirme and keepe them He should not transport any Iewells or any part of the Wardrobe nor alienate any of the Revenues of the Crowne He should preserve our Shipping Ordnance and Munition and keepe the Castles Forts and Blocke-houses in good repaire and well manned Lastly that this Match should not any way derogate from the League lately concluded betweene the Queene and the King of France but that the Peace betweene the English and the French should remaine firme and inviolate onely it should be lawfull for PHILIP out of other Kingdomes and Dominions belonging to his Father the Emperour to send aides vnto him either for propelling iniuries or taking revenge for any already received All things being thus transacted and no further impediment interposing betweene these Princes PHILIP setting saile from the Groine on the sixteenth of Iuly with a good Southerne gale within three dayes arrived at Southampton with a Fleet of one hundred and sixty saile wherof twenty were English and other twenty Flemings Having rested himselfe there the space of three dayes attended by a great company of the English and Spanish Nobility on the fower and twentieth of Iuly being a very wet day he came to the Queene at Winchester The feast day of S. Iames the tutelary Saint of Spaine was destined for the Nuptialls which were celebrated at Winchester with great pompâ— There Don IVAN FIGVEROA for the Emperor resigned the Kingdomes of Naples Sicily and conferred all his right thereto on PHILIP and the Heralds proclaimed their titles in Latine French and English About the beginning of August these two Princes came to Basing and thence to Windsore where the King was installed Knight of the Garter On the eleventh of August they came to London where the Citizens received them with most magnificent solemnity Oâ— the eleventh of November another Parliament began at Westminster about the beginning wherof Cardinall POOLE who by King HENRY had beene proclaimed enemy to the Estate was created Cardinall by PAVL the Third had himselfe beene Pope if he had but consented in time and in the opinion of many was thought a fit Husband for the Queene arrived in England Having beene put beside the Papacy by others default more then his owne craving leave of the new Pope IVLIVS he withdrew himself to a Monastery in the territory of Verona called Maguzano the Religious whereof were Benedictine Monkes of which Order hee himselfe while hee continued at Rome had beene Patron Having decreed there to hide himselfe and spend the remainder of his dayes the fame of King EDWARD'S death and Queene MARY'S advancement to the Crowne drew him againe out of the Cloister to Rome He was not ignorant how MARY stood affected to the Sea of Rome and therefore hoped not without good cause that IVLIVS who much favoured him having by his delaies attained the Papacy would send him into his Countrey with the honorable title and authority of a Legate And now he fained to himselfe a double hope of a Kingdome if not secular at least Ecclesiasticall by vertue of his authority Legatine and the dignity of Archbishop of Canterbury Queene MARY had her education for some yeares vnder MARGARET Countesse of Salisbury the Mother of POOLE who was then a childe and that by Queene CATHARINES meanes who intended as it was thought to marry her Daughter the Lady MARY to one of the Countesses Sonnes thereby to strengthen her Daughters claime to the Crowne if it should happen that HENRY should decease without other lawfull issue the Countesse being Daughter to GEORGE Duke of Clarence who was brother to EDWARD the Fourth The Cardinall whether for this or some other reasons knowing himselfe to be in deere esteeme with the Queene was confident if not of the Crowne by marriage yet at least of all advantages of her favour Neither was he therein deceived for MARY having obtained the Crowne earnestly sued vnto him to restore himselfe to his Countrey and the Pope not ignorant how much he would advantage the Apostolique Sea at the Queenes request dispatched him with most ample authority But the Emperour having a proiect on foot for his Sonne was somewhat jealous of the Cardinall and therefore began seriously to treat with Cardinall DANDINO the Popes Legat with him for the conclusion of a Peace betweene him and the French that so he might give a stop to POOLE whose comming into England the Emperors affaires being not yet setled might peradventure make all fly asunder DANDINO to gratify CHARLES by FRANCISCO COMMENDONO sends Letters to POOLE advising him not to set forth as yet forasmuch as this Legacy vndertaken without the Emperours consent was displeasing and the English Nation for the most part especially the Londoners did so hate the name of the Pope of Rome that his Legacy would be held in contempt among them a Legate therfore was not to be emploied vnto them vntill persuasions had brought them to a better temper POOLE having received these letters in his Cloister thought it fitting to expect his Holinesse pleasure The Pope not brooking the increase of the Emperors greatnes by the addition of such Estates and fretting that DANDINO had presumed to stay the Cardinall recalled DANDINO and conferred on POOLE alone the Legacy both into England for the one affaire and to the Emperour and the French for the treaty of a Peace He willingly vndertaking it presently set forward from Trent certifying the Emperour and the French of his large Commission The Emperour perceiving that these devises would be no longer availeable sent Don IVAN de Mendoza vnto him with letters wherin he plainly discovered his feare that the Cardinalls premature arrivall in England might prove an obstacle to his proceedings there which were great and hopefull wherfore it was his desire that hee should either there attend his pleasure or if hee would needs go further he might come to Liege and there expect the event of his designes The Cardinall vpon receipt
to be judged by the new Bishop MORGAN by whome he was condemned and burned at Carmarden the third of March He was a man rigid and of a rough behaviour which procured him much trouble vnder King EDWARD and now I beleeve proved his bane For having been by the Duke of Somerset advanced to that Dignity after his death this good and learned man by his sower behaviour drawing neere to arrogance which with that Nation is a great indignity raised against himselfe many accusers two whereof vnder Queene ELIZABETH became Bishops who after the death of the Duke of Somerset easily prevailed with the adverse Faction for his imprisonment Being found in prison when MARY came to the Crowne and brought before the Bishop of Winchester he might I beleeve by pleasing answers and a little yeelding to the season have honestly escaped their bloudy hands as did many others who having not waded too far in Lady IANE'S cause nor otherwise given any grand affront to any of the Popish Prelates by this meanes without impediment going into voluntary exile or being taken had their liberty easily procured at the intercession of Friends But FERRAR according to his innate tartnesse answering freely I will not say waiwardly to his interrogatories did so inrage the Bishop of Winchester that I do not much wonder at the hard proceedings against him Beside these ROLAND TAILOR Doctor of Divinity suffered at Hadley the ninth of February LAVRENCE SANDERS an excellent Preacher on the eighth at Coventrey IOHN CARDMAKER Chancellor of the Church of Wells on the last of May at London where also on the first of Iuly that godly and learned man IOHN BRADFORD vnderwent the tortures of his martyrdome But not to go to a particular enumeration of all that suffered for their Faith the number of them was almost incredible the greater part whereof were executed out of BONER'S butchery But among others we cannot omit those Worthies RIDLEY and LATIMER who having beene condemned the yeare before were now on the sixteenth of October conducted to execution and at Oxford in the aspect of the Academiques were in the Towne ditch neere Balioll Colledge tied to a stake and burned CRANMER is reported from the higher part of his prison to have beheld this dolefull spectacle and with bended knees and elevated hands to have praied for their constancy of Hope and Faith as also for himselfe who was shortly hee knew to tread their path But his execution was for a time deferred by the Bishop of Winchesters meanes and that not out of pitty but ambition and reguard of his owne profit On the foure and twentieth of March died IVLIVS the Third after whose death the Conclave elected MARCELLO CERVINO a man of excellent learning wisedome and â—anctity of life and vnder whom there was great hope of the reformation of that Church whose that memorable saying was That he did not see how it was possible for a Pope to be saved who having sate two and twenty dayes only died and left the Chaire to Cardinall CARAFFA of whose contention with POOLE we have spoken already who succeeded him by the name of PAVL the Fourth GARDINER being not ignorant of this contention and the differences betweene them deales vnderhand with this new Pope to honour him with a Cardinalls Hat and to transfer on him the authority Legatine by IVLIVS conferred on POOLE The Pope in reguard of his hatred to POOLE easily condiscended thereto determining also to cite him to Rome there to force him to acquit himselfe of Heresy and to suffer as did Cardinall MORONO POOLE'S great Friend whome this Pope detained in prison as long as himselfe lived Hereby GARDINER well hoped to attaine to be Archbishop of Canterbury the revenues of which Bishopricke POOLE received as a Sequestratour and would no otherwise as long as CRANMER lived This was the reason that CRANMER'S execution was deferred to worke meanes that POOLE might not be invested in the Archbishopricke which hee himselfe for the former reasons hoped to attaine But while GARDINER was wholy intent to this proiect death had a proiect on him and cut him of by the extremity of a Dropsie which swelling from his feet and legs vp to his belly dispatched him on the twelfth of November who was with great solemnity interred in his Cathedrall at Winâ—hester The Emperour CHARLES the Fiâ—t having determined to resigne the Empire and his Kingdome on the five and twentieth of October at Brussels where all the Estates of his Realmes were assembled transferred all his Kingdomes and Dominions on his Son PHILIP whom he had formerly made King of Naples and Sicily and betooke himselfe to the rest of a priuate life Anno Dom. 1556. Reg. Mariae 3. 4. Philippi 2. 3. TO begin the yeare with its first day on the first of Ianuary NICHOLAS HEATH Archbishop of Yorke was made Lord Chancellour In March a Comet in the twentieth degree of Libra was seene from the fift to the seventeenth of the same moneth On the thirteenth of March a counterfait EDWARD whose true name was WILLIAM FETHERSTONâ— was executed for a Traitor he being a Millers sonne in stature and lineaments of bodie not much vnlike the deceased King EDWARD and his age also agreeable had beene the last yeare publiquely whipped through London for affirming himselfe to be the King But not sufficiently terrified by the smart of this punishment hee againe betakes him to the same imposture privately affirmes himselfe to be King EDWARD and causes letters to be cast abroad that King EDWARD was alive for which he was at length deservedly hanged And now we are at length come to the narration of the memorable Martyrdome of the Archbishop CRANMER STEPHEN GARDINER Bishop of Wincheâ—ter being dead Cardinall POOLE as yet the Pope's Legate appointed IAMES BROOKE Bishop of Gloueester for CRANMER'S triall forasmuch as they iudged it vnlawfull to punish an Archbishop but by leave from his Holinesse IOHN STORY and THOMAS MARTIN Doctours of Law Commissioners for the Queene accompanied the Bishop to Oxford that the Authority Royall might countenance the Delegates proceeding In Saint Maries Church they had high seates purposely erected for them BROOKE sitting vnder the place where the consecrated Host did vsually hang in a Pixe beside him sate MARTIN and STORY but a little lower and CRANMER habited like a Doctour of Divinite not like a Bishop was brought before them Being told that there were those who represented not only her Maiesties person but also of the most holy Father the Pope hee with due reverence saluted STORY and MARTIN but would not so much as vouchsafe to cast his eyes toward BROOKE and that not as he afterward confessed of contempt of the man whom hee formerly loved but that hee might not seeme to acknowledge the Popes authoritie hee having by oath to King HENRY obliged himselfe to the contrary especially in England where hee could make no pretence of right Then
each of them exhorted him to change his opinion and returne to the vnity of the Church but hee not reguarding their admonition they cite him to appeare within fourescore dayes before his Holinesse which with her Maiesties consent he promised he would But the Pope not expecting his comming within twenty dayes after by letters to the King and Queene commanded him to be condemned and committed to the Secular power After the intercourse of a few dayes new authoritie is by the Pope granted to BONER Bishop of London and THIRLBY Bishop of Ely for CRANMERS degradation from Orders both Presbyteriall and Archiepiscopall and he then to be delivered over to the secular Magistrate to suffer for heresie which was accordingly performed on the fourteenth of February Those saintlike men CRANMER RIDLEY and LATIMER as long as they lived did by letters exhort each other to a generous constancie for the maintenance of the truth of the Christian faith But the other two Champions having made their way to heaven and left him alone not plied with such firme exhortations out of desire of longer life his constancy began at length to be shaken and that by the subtilty and daily persuasions of a Spanish Frier So being seduced with hope of pardon he retracts what ever he had before written in defence of his Religion which retractation was after printed published But that little availed him For whether that POOLE would not be longer excluded from the possession of the Archbishopricke or that which seemes more probable the Queenes inveterate hate and desire of revenge for her Mothers Divorce which could not bee otherwise satiated then with the bloud of this grave man were the cause he being now confident of life is presently rapt to the place of execution and there cruelly burned where RIDLEY and LATIMER had five moneths before beene crowned with Martyrdome On the day appointed for his execution a Sermon by the appointment of the Cardinall was preached by Doctor COLE Thither was CRANMER brought and placed conveniently neere the Pulpit where COLE exhorted him to a constancy in that faith which hee was now content to acknowledge and that even vnto death which was now by the appointment of the Magistrate to be inflicted on him this very day Gods wrath for the death of FISHER and MORE could not otherwise be appeased but by his bloud But before his death would he by a publique confession testifie his sincere conversion to the vnitie of the Church hee should do an act most acceptable to God and men If with this vnexpected newes CRANMER were amazed I do not at all wonder But he recollecting himselfe stood vp and without any signe of feare made a quicke Oration to the assembly wherein having premised many things concerning morality and amendment of life he repeates the principall points of his doctrine briefly explaines his Faith affirmeth that vnder the authoritie Papall the Kingdome of Antichrist was contained and established and lastly demonstrates how much hee had offended God by the abnegation of the Truth Hee professeth therefore that he had resolved that his right hand wherewith he had so horribly sinned by subscribing to the doctrine proposed by the enemies of Truth should first feele the smart of punishment when hee would have proceeded to speake more the multitude of Romanists whose expectation he had so finely deluded with clamors and scofs interrupted him hurried him away presently to the place of execution There was then to be seene a sad spectacle and such as would I will not say have extorted pittie from his very enemies but have expressed teares from a flint the chiefe Prelate of the Realme lately flourishing by reason of his power and favour of Princes a man of most holy conversation for his age aspect feature learning gravitie and rare guifts of minde deservedly most Reverend clad out of intent to expose him to mockery in an obsolete garment for so had the Papists purposely arraied him and bitterly taunted at to be dragged to death and that death by the horrid tortures of fire Being now fastned to the stake as soone as ever the flame began to ascend lifting vp his left hand to heaven he thrust forth his right hand into the flame and there with admirable constancie continued it vntill it were consumed only once drawing it in and with it stroaking his beard At length the raging flame spreding it selfe lifting vp his eyes toward heaven hee cried out Lord receive my spirit and his bodie abiding as immovable as the stake whereto hee was fastened hee patiently indured the fines violence vntill hee at last expired His bodie being consumed to ashes his heart was found intire and vntouch't Had any of the Romanists found the like in any one of their faction it should have beene recorded for a miracle and that miracle sufficed to have Sainted him Give me leave though it be contrary to the method of Historie to insert a few verses written by RALPH SKINNER concerning this great mans Martyrdome Succubuit sanctus Praesul CRANMERVS iniqud Pontificum rabie fraude doloque perit Quòd Verbi in victo deiecer at Ense Papatum Quòd docnâ—t purâ quaerere mente Deum Quòdque Antichristi subverter at impia regna Regna pijs Auglis heu tolerata diù Hinc pius clemens â—rudeli addicitur igni Dantur innocui membra â—remanda viri Huc vbi iam ventum est Dextram proiecit in ignem Proiectamque tenens talia dicta dedit Primùm peccasti primùm sentire dolorem Debes ah Christo dextra inimica meo Immotamque tenet dum deflagaverat omnis In â—ineres totam dum cecidisse videt Caetera cùm pereant flammâ mirabile dictu Cor manet illaesum post vbi flamma perit Ecce invicta fides cor inviolabile servat Nec medijs flammis cor da perire sinit Which Verses may thus be rendred in English Through Papists rage fraud good CRANMER di'd Because he put their doctrine to the Sword The two-edg'd Sword of Scripture and descri'd CHRIST'S Foe instructing England with the Word For this meeke man he had a Martyrs hire His Soule was burnt with Zeale his Corps with Fire But when he came vnto the stake he thrust His right hand in the flames Thou first he said Because thou first didst sinne here suffer must Thou first thy Lord and Master hast betraid There held he it his eyes did see it fall Soone afterward he sent those eyes withall But lo a wonder Heav'ns sacred Oracle Had sure decreed that so admir'd a creature Should not be put to death Sans Miracle His Bodie burnt his Heart in perfect feature Was found vnsing'd See See the Faith he cherisht Once in that Heart preferv'd it still vnperisht Beside CRANMER the crueltie of those times did the same yeare devoure many professors of the same Religion Of both sexes no fewer then eighty foure were this yeare 〈◊〉 by fire Neither did their crueltie exercise it selfe on
above navell high through the dikes to the wall which wee little feared could be done without resistance finding the place void of defendants they easily make themselves masters of the Castle and had as easily taken the Towne if Sir ANTHONY AGER Marshall of the Towne had not with some few others made head against them and forced them to retreat to the Castle in which conflict that valiant Knight was slaine The Lord WENTWORTH Governour of the Towne seeing little hopes of keeping the Towne craved parley which was granted and at length yeilded the Towne vpon these Conditions That the common souldiers and inhabitants should depart without transporting or carrying away any thing with them and that the Lord WENTWORTH with fifty others such as the Duke of Guise should appoint should remaine captives to be put to ranson So was Calais lost which had continued English above two hundred yeares neither was the siege long the Enemy sitting downe before iâ— on Newyeares day and having it yeilded vp on Twelfe day Seven dayes after the Duke marcheth toward Guisnes which Towne he tooke without any difficultie but the Castle which the Lord GRAY commanded not so easily But that and Hames Castle were at length taken also and dismantled so that of all the Kingdome of France the greatest part whereof was for a long time held by our Kings and whereof HENRY the Sixt had beene crowned King at Paris Anno 1431. nor in the Duchies of Normandie and Aquitaine the ancient inheritance of the Kings of England our Kings possesse nothing but the Isles of Iersey and Guarnesey which have proved loyall to vs ever since the Conquest While the French proceeded thus in Picardie the Queene certified thereof with great diligence prepares her Fleet to transport succours for Calais but contrary windes kept them backe so long vntill Calais was irrecoverably lost You shall not easily read of any action wherein God hath by more manifest signes declared how displeasing those wars are to him which vndertaken for ambition or profit do dissolve the publique peace PHILIP to begin with him against whom HENRY and the Pope did most vniustly conspire inlarged himselfe with a double victorie each whereof were great and memorable The Cardinall CARAFFA and the Duke of Paliane who for their owne ends had persuaded the doting Pope to throw the ball of discord betweene these Princes were after for this very thing beheaded by PIVS the Fourth who immediately succeeded PAVL PAVL himselfe in the meane time the French being overthrowne at Saint Quintin was exposed to the mercy of the Spaniard whom he had irritated the French being forced to withdraw his Army out of Italy The rash violation of the League by MARY was punished with the losse of Calais and through griefe thereof according to common beliefe of life also What happened to the French who by the Pope's instigation first brake the five yeares Truce wee have already declared And least it might be conceived that his losses at and of Saint QVINTIN were repaired by the taking of Calais another overthrow given him within few moneths after will take away much from the content of that victory In Iune the Marshall De Termes who succeeded STROSSY lately slaine Governour of Calais breaketh into Arthois and Flanders with an Army consisting of neere about eleven thousand men leaving Graveling and Burburg at his backe attempts Berghes takes it sackes it and so opens a way to Dunkirk which hee also takes and spoiles and the Countrey all about for they feared not the French there and the Townes which the Spaniard held thoroughout that Tract were ill furnished lying open to their mercy they ransacke it most miserably and march as far as Newport PHILIP was affrighted with this Tempest fearing especially least the Duke of Guise then in Armes should joine with TERMES but having intelligence that the Duke spent his time about Arlon and Vireton hee resolves to intercept the French in their returne In this enterprise hee employes Count EGMOND his Lieuetenant generall in the Netherlands who having speedily out of the neighbour Garrisons of Betune Saint Omer Aires Burburg and others assembled an Army of fifteene thousand puts himselfe betweene Dunkirk and Calais TERMES had hitherto expected the Duke of Guise but vpon notice that the Countrey was vp in Armes he somewhat too late bethought himselfe of a retreate Hee was now every way inclosed and passage not to be gained but by dint of sword The French therefore valiantly charge their Enemies and overthrow some Squadrons of Horse indeed dispaire animated them to do wonders and the Flemings were set on fire by the desire of revenging late injuries The Spanish Troupes renew the fight which was with equall order long maintained on both sides in the heate whereof ten English Men of War fortunately sailing by for De TERMES had for his security betaken him to the shore hoping that way with much lesse hazard to have gained passage vpon discovery of the French Colours let fly their Ordnance furiously among the French making such a slaughter that they began to give ground were at last routed and overthrowne The French in this battaile lost five thousand Their chiefe Commanders were almost all taken the Marshall himselfe was hurt and taken with D'ANNEBALT the Son of CLAVD the late Admirall the Earle of Chaune SENARPONT VILLEBON Governour of Picardy MORVILLIERS and many others Two hundred escaped to our Ships whome they might have drowned but giving them Quarter they were brought Captives into England This battaile was fought on the thirteenth of Iuly The Queene desirous by some action or other to wipe out the staine of the ignominious losse of Calais about the same time set forth a fleet of one hundred and forty Saile whereof thirty were Flemings the maine of the expedition being from Brest in Bretaigne But the Lord Clinton Lord high Admirall of England finding no good to be done there set saile for Conquet where he landed tooke the Towne sacked it and set it on fire together with the Abbey and the adiacent villages and returned to his ships But the Flemings somewhat more greedy after prey disorderly piercing farther into the Countrey and reguardlesse of martiall discipline which commands obedience to their Generall being incountred by the Lord of Kerâ—imon came fewer home by five hundred PHILIP about the same time lodging neere Amiens with a great Army HENRY with a far greater attended each motion of his They incampe at last HENRY on the North of the river Somme PHILIP on the South of the river Anthy so neere to one another that it might be thought impossible for two such spirited Princes commanding so great Armies to depart without a battell But divers considerations had tempered their heat PHILIP being the weaker of the two saw no reason why to ingage himselfe HENRY had an Army which had twice felt the other victorious and was therefore loath on them to adventure his already shaken estate
Wherefore they so intrenched themselves and fortified their Campes with Artillery as if they expected a siege from each other Some moneths thus passed without any other exploits then inrodes and light skirmishes At length they mutually entertaine a motion of peace both of them considering that their Armies consisting of strangers the fruits of the victory would be to the Aliens only but the calamity and burthen of the defeat would light on the shoulders of the vanquished or which comes all to one passe of the subiects These motives drew together for a treaty on HENRY'S side the Constable the Marshall of S. Andrew the Cardinall of Loraine MORVILLIERS Bishop of Orleans and AVBESPINE Secretary of Estate for PHILIP the Duke of Alva the Prince of Orange RVYZ GOMES de Silva GRANVELL Bishop of Arras and others Much altercation was had about the restoring of Calais which the French were resolved to hold and PHILIP would have no peace vnlesse it were restored to MARY whom in point of honour he could not so forsake But this difference was ended by the death of MARY a little before whome on the one and twentieth of September died also the Emperour CHARLES the Fift which occasioned both the change of place and time for another Treaty And if the continuall connexion of other memorable affaires had not transported me I should ere this have mentioned the marriage celebrated at Paris with great pompe on the eight and twentieth of Aprill betweene the Daulphin FRANCIS and MARY Queene of Scots But the fruits thereof were not lasting For two yeares after died FRANCIS the Crowne by the death of his Father HENRY having beene first devolved to him and left his bed to a more auspicious husband HENRY the eldest Sonne to the Earle of Lenox Of these Parents was borne our late Soveraigne of ever sacred memory who was Nephew by his Mother to IAMES the Fift by MARGARET the eldest Daughter Nephew to that wise King HENRY the Seventh who the Issue of HENRY the Eight being extinct as the next vndoubted Heire most happily vnited the Crownes of England Scotland and Irland But now at length to draw neerer home this Autumne was very full of diseases Fevers especially quartane raigning extraordinarily in England wherby many chiefely aged persons and among them a great number of the Clergy perished Of the sole Episcopall ranke thirteene died either a little before the Queene or some few moneths after her Among the rest Cardinall POOLE scarce survived her a day who having beene for some weekes afflicted by this kinde of disease and brought to extreme weakenesse of body as if he had at the newes of the Queenes death received his deaths wound expired at three a clocke the next morning His corps inclosed in lead was buried in his Cathedrall at Canterbury with this briefe Elogy on his Tombe in steed of an Epitaph Depositum Cardinalis POLI. He was a man admirably learned modest milde of a most sweet disposition wise and of excellent dexterity in the managing of any affaires so that hee had beene incomparable if corrupted with the Religion of the Church of Rome he had not forced his nature to admit of those cruelties exercised vpon the Protestants The Queene died at S. Iames on the seventeenth of November some few houres before day She was a Lady very godly mercifull chaste and every way praise-worthy if you reguard not the errors of her Religion But her Religion being the cause of the effusion of so much innocent bloud that of the Prophet was necessarily to be fulfilled in her Bloud-thirsty men c. shall not finish halfe their dayes For she was cut off in the two and fortieth yeare of her age hauing raigned onely fiue yeares foure moneths and eleuen dayes wheras her Sister who succeeded her most happily in a more milde gouernement ruled nine timesas long and almost doubled her age Concerning the cause of Queen MARIE'S death there are divers conjectures To relate what I finde in approoved Authors it is reported that in the beginning of her sickenesse her friends supposing that she grieved at the absence of her husband whome she saw so ingaged in wars abroad that she could not hope for his speedy returne vsed consolatory meanes and indevored to remove from her that fixed sadnesse wherewith she seemed to be oppresled But she vtterly averse from all comfort and giving her selfe over to melancholy told them That she died but that of the true cause of her death they were ignorant which if they were desirous to know they should after her death dissect her heart and there they should finde Calais Intimating thereby that the losse of Calais had occasioned this fatall griefe which was thought to have beene increased by the death of the Emperor her Father-in-law But the truth is her liver being over-cooled by a Mole these things peradventure might hasten her end which could not otherwise be far from her and cast her by degrees into that kinde of Dropsy which Physitians terme Ascites This Dropsy being not discovered in time deceived her Physitians who beleeved that she had conceived by King PHILIP whereas she alas did breed nothing but her owne death So mature remedies being not applied and she not observing a fit diet she fell into a Fever which increasing by little and little at last ended in her death She lieth interred at Westminster in the midst of that Chappell which is on the North side of her Grandfather HENRY the Seventh his Monument where her sister Queene ELIZABETH was after buried with her and over both by the pious liberality of that most munificent Prince King IAMES hath since beene erected a most stately Monument well befitting the Majesty of such great Monarchs Queene ELIZABETH Anno 1558. HAving thus briefely run over the Reignes of these three Princes Queene ELIZABETH'S times in the next place offer themselves which deservedly requiring a more accurate stile I will here set a period to this worke not so much with intent to pretermit them as reserving them for a more exact labour In the meane time to give some satisfaction to the Reader I will make this short addition Some few houres after the decease of Queene MARY the Estates then assembled in Parliament on the seventeenth of November declared her Sister the Lady ELIZABETH Queene who was Daughter to HENRY the Eighth and ANNE BOLEN Having most gloriously reigned forty foure yeares foure moneths and seven dayes she ended her life and Reigne on the foure and twentieth of March Anno 1603 the Crown being by her death devolved to the renouned King of Scots IAMES the Sixt to whome it was so far from feeling it a burthen to have succeeded so good a Princesse that never was any Prince received with greater applause and gratulation of his People Many thinke their condition happy if they exchange a CALIGVLA for a CLAVDIVS or a NERO for a VITELLIVS or an OTHO But that any Mortall should please after ELIZABETH may